Friday 29 April 2016

Two books divided by four centuries


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"The Trevelyon Miscellany of 1608" is one of the Folger Shakespeare Library's greatest treasures. Aside from "Shakespeare's First Folio", it is the only book in the collection to have had an entire exhibition devoted to it, in 2004.

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Its five hundred and ninety-four oversized pages depict life in Shakespeare's England in all of its brilliant complexities - from the mythical to the mundane, the poetical to the practical, the religious to the secular.

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Thomas Trevelyon, the compiler, was a skilled scribe and pattern-maker who had access to a stunning variety of English and European woodcuts, engravings, broadsides, almanacs and emblem books which he transformed from small monochrome images into large and colourful feasts for the eyes.

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Ostensibly created for the entertainment, education and edification of his friends and family, Trevelyon's miscellany is a lifetime achievement that continues to delight and mystify modern audiences, with its familiar scenes of domesticity and husbandry intertwined with epic Protestant and political epitomes: accounts of the rulers of England and the Gunpowder Plot, descriptions of local fairs, the colleges of Oxford and Cambridge and astronomy according to Ptolemy, illustrations of the nine muses and the seven deadly sins, of Old Testament history and household proverbs and whimsical flowers, alphabets and embroidery patterns.

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This massive volume provides an exciting and unparalleled snapshot of the passions, concerns and everyday interests of a highly talented London commoner.

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It is a monumental work that was intended to be both studied and enjoyed, its pages turned and savoured.

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If you would like to study  Thomas Trevelyon's 1608 Miscellany, Folger Shakespeare museum has made it AVAILABLE online. Embroidery patterns seem to start on page 9 although many of the images throughout the book would lend themselves to motifs.

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Most needleworkers will have heard of Yvette Stanton who is a highly respected needlework teacher and author of needlework books. Many will have her books in their library and will be delighted to hear that Yvette's eighth book, and her second on Hardanger embroidery will be released in June 2016.

Early-style or traditional Hardanger embroidery is different from much of the Hardanger that is being worked today and the book will:-
  • Distinguish what makes early-style Hardanger different from contemporary Hardanger.
  • Help you to understand how to correctly and accurately work the stitches and techniques of this traditional-style embroidery.
  • Provides both left- and right-handed instructions are included.
  • Learn to avoid problems, and have the self-assurance to fix any mistakes you make.
  • Will give you the confidence to use your new skills to create ten attractive early-style Hardanger embroidery projects.
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For more information and to pre-order your copy click HERE. As soon as we have our copy we will be back with a detailed review and a project from the book.

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