Saturday, October 6, 2007

Plimoth Plantation Project Celebration

Please take a moment to just be happy with me. I am so thrilled and in awe, and grateful. I am sooo thrilled that I feel like my whole formal education and stitching life has been building up to this time in my life. That's how much this means to me. I know this sounds a little over the top. But, for me, it's the truth.I heard today that I've been chosen/allowed to work on the Plimoth Plantation project organized by the museum which is recreating the embroidered 17th c. jacket worn by a woman on the Mayflower II! This is a once in a lifetime stitching project! I am so excited and humbled to be able to work on it! I'll be in the December session.


Such jackets were very rare for those times, especially for women making hardship trips to the New World by tiny ships! The jacket has been researched by the museum and consultants. Tricia Wilson Nguyen, whom you may know as a needlework designer and co-owner of Tokens and Trifles, is a significant member of the recreation and teaching team.


Lauren Sauer found the picture I've posted above as a type or style of the jacket/dress worn in the 1600's. Evidently, only very wealthy women would have had one of these...they were very rare, and they would have cost a fortune with all the embroideries, silks, gold and silver threads, etc. Which makes the jacket a curiosity for being on the ship to Plimoth! Makes one wonder if the woman was running away or planning to use the jacket as a bartering tool, or if she was a dressmaker or fine needlewoman herself!


Please go visit the website and read all about it at: http://www.plimoth.org/ You can click on the Embroideries section at the upper righthand side. Did I tell you I'm so thrilled, yet!!!??? Most of the story and pictures of the actual stitching is in the "general" section.
This is a picture of the "sample kit" that the Plantation sends out to prospective stitchers for the Project. It was designed by Tricia. Isn't it cute. It's a likeness of the jacket imagery. You can see some of the different stitches here.


They will send you a kit if you email and ask for one. There's a fee of $40 something.


This picture above is work being done on a section of the jacket. When you view the site entries under "General," you'll see the types of frames and lighting everyone uses. And, how the copies were recreated.
A couple of celebrity stitchers!! Shay Pendray, and did you know that Lauren Sauer stitches with her feet, too? LOL
This beautiful woman below is called "Laura the Extreme Costume" woman. Evidently she made this jacket and cap of hers. I don't know people like this...they intimidate me, and I probably will never meet her. So, it's safe to say that I will not be taking an outfit like this to my stitching sessions. I will try to dress a little and not wear my usual floridaish pants and RL golf shirts. And, I promise not to embarrass any of you by looking like I'm a deer in headlights and it's my first time with a needle in my fingers. But, I doubt I'll be carrying around a portfolio or wearing a hand-stitched glorious outfit. Yikes! Those of you who really know me will be rolling on the floor right about now. All I can offer is lots of flashy jewelry to keep up face in the midst, okay!? :) Which I'll probably have to take off because it could snag the yarns or linen, anyway....:[

Did I tell you I'm so thrilled and so psyched??? I can hardly breathe!!

Call me, email me, comment, do something!!!

42 comments:

Kathy said...

Wow, this sounds like quite an honor. I am sure that you will do us all proud. All your hard work does pay off in the end.

Deb said...

Congratulations Deb! :)

Anonymous said...

Deb,
I'm so glad you found my blog. I have perused your blog a few times in the past and perhaps I have even left a comment. Your enthusiasm is infectious. It sounds like you have found your calling or purpose (or one of them) in life and it is such a great feeling when we find our bliss and it leads to something so meaningful and fulfilling, congratulations and enjoy the ride.

Anonymous said...

Sit down and take a deep breath, you're making me all giddy... LOL!! Congratulations, it sounds like it's going to be an awesome and remarkable experience! Don't worry, you are so up for the job and you're going to help create something extraordinary!!

mainely stitching said...

WOW, wow, and WOW! I'm going to have to take Harmien's advice above and take a few deep breaths myself! How did you get into the running for such an honor? WOW! And with your ties to the original settlers...it's amazing, it's thrilling!!! And yes, you are so TOTALLY up to the challenge of working on this unique project!!!

Lizzie said...

Wow- to be enmeshed in a project that promotes an awareness of our historical roots as well as a favorite hobby! Thats wonderful!

Thanks for visiting me- I am bookmarking your blog, too.

I need to visit your Christmas one. :-)

Katrina said...

Very neat, huge congrats. What an honor for you. Loved all the pictures too :-).

Cheryl said...

That is so great Deb! Im really happy for you :)

Wanda said...

How thrilling for you!! You are so creative of course you would be included. It is great to have inspiration and enthusiasm. I will be checking back to see your progress!! HUGS

Anonymous said...

Wow, Deb! Oh, wow.... this is SO incredible; congratulations! And for heaven's sake, don't forget to pack your camera LOL

Ranae said...

Cogratulations on being chosen. You sound so excited, good for you.
Those paper dresses are just adorable.

Vonna Pfeiffer said...

WOW, a "boatload" of congratulations!! How wonderful to be able to be a part of this tremendous undertaking!

Von said...

Hearty congratulations,Deb! What a huge honor for you.:) You'll certainly have lots of material for future blog posts - you know we all want to know everything!

Nicole said...

Wow Deb that's great! Sorry, I didn't realize this sooner, or I would've congratulated you in person! :)

Anonymous said...

Oh wow! Congratulations Deb! This is wonderful!

Anonymous said...

Oops, the comment from lin is actually me. My fingers got carried away on the keyboard. LOL!

Miokka said...

Congratulations! I am thrilled for you! We can all say.... we knew ye when! Keep us posted! Takes lots of photos & don't forget us little people! {;^)
Soooo wonderful to spend the afternoon with you, I hope your drive home was safe & smooth!
xoxo
Martha

Juls said...

Congratulations!!!! I am so very happy for you!!! I can't wait to see your progress. You so deserve this honor!!!!

Heidi said...

A very big congratulations to you Deb!!! How exciting! I saw this site way back when they were going to start. I did not keep up with the 'going~ons' but will have to look once again. I can't think of a nicer person to have this honor than you. I will look forward to hearing about it.

Hugs ~

Heidi

Sally said...

Congratulations Deb!! You truly deserve this:)

Simone said...

Wow Deb! Congratulations! What an honor to be chosen, for such a wonderful project! And it's perfect for you, I think. Enjoy every minute of it!
BTW: I love the lady in the costume! It looks a lot like the folkloric costumes that some Dutch ladies are wearing.

tintocktap said...

Well done, Deb! That's fantastic for you!

CraftyGryphon said...

Wow, Deb, that's an amazing honor - I know how tough the Plimoth crowd can be when it comes to authenticity. I'm looking forward to seeing the finished recreations!

Anonymous said...

Wow, that sounds wonderful! I hope you're able to take tons of pictures to show us what part you worked on!

samplerlover said...

Congratulations. What a great honour, I can see that your are absolutely thrilled. I too, have followed this from the beginning and thought what an incredible idea. I love history especially English and French and I think thats one of the reasons I love samplers. The history of them and the people who made them along with all the different stitching techniques. I'm sure that you will have the thrill of a lifetime. Sit back and enjoy the ride. By the way I love your Marie-Antoinette.

Wendy said...

How incredible for you to become involved in such a great project! It does sound so exciting. I can just imagine the awesome challenge of putting your first few stitches in this amazing piece of stitching. I can't wait to hear about all the progress and see all the pictures!! Congratulations!!!

jane said...

Oh, Deb! How wonderful for you! Be sure to have pictures taken of yourself working as well as the work you do!!

Margie said...

I've been following this project online and how nice that you can participate! I wanted to try but I know I wouldn't be able to get there on those stitching days. Have a great time!

Artifax said...

How exciting!! Congrats!!!
The jacket looks to be just gorgeous! I didn't know anything about this project and it was fascinating to learn about it.

So happy for you!!

Anonymous said...

How exciting for you to be a part of the project. I am so envious of the knowledge you will be picking up from all those women, Have a great time doing it. michelle r.

Donna said...

So happy for you. It's a great opportunity. I've been checking out the blog for sometime and checking on the progress. Maybe we'll see a picture of you stitching away on the blog. Best of luck and cherish the moments. Donna

Julie said...

Congratulations Deb! Not only are you blessed to participate in such a project, they're very blessed to have you!

Michelle said...

Congratulations! What a wonderful project. You will have to definitely keep us updated on it!

Karen said...

Wow! What a great opportunity. Congratulations on being chosen!

Anne S said...

Wow, what an amazing opportunity for you - it's no wonder you're so pumped about the news! Awesome - you go, girl!! :D I can't say needlelace is my favourite stitch, but you've done a great job of it :D

Meari said...

WOW! How exciting for you. Congratulations on being chosen!!!

Laura - StitchinManiac said...

WOW! I am so excited for you! You WILL post pics and continue to tell us all about this, won't you? What a wonderful opportunity.

Patricia Lessell said...

WOW oh WOW Deb what an honor. I am so very very thrilled for you and am sure you will have a simply wonderful time. I loved all the photos on here especially the small piece that you stitched because it is absolutely gorgeous. You so deserve this. All My Love Queenie xxx

samplerlover said...

Thank you for your lovely comments on my blog. I love needlework and have done some beautiful things in my time. I enjoy watching the parrots. We have so many varieties that come into our garden. Besides the two that I showed on my blog we have the brats of the parrot world the sulpher crested cockatoos (the ones that people have in cages), yellow & red tailed black cockatoos, galahs, gang gangs lorikeets, major mitchell cockatoos, finches and occasionally we have a bower bird who is quite fascinating to watch. It is because we are surrounded by a huge world heritage area. When I find another variety in the bird feeders I will take a photo of them and post them on my blog.

Margaret said...

Congratulations Deb!!! What an honor and what a golden opportunity.
Thanks for your email. Will get back to you soon.

DaisyGirl said...

What a great honour! I'm so happy for you! To make something that is historically correct is so cool. Can't wait to read about your journey!
Donna

Laren said...

Congrats!!

There are a few examples of this type of jacket still in existance. If you go to the Victoria and Albert Museum site (http://images.vam.ac.uk/) and search for "Laton" you should get the jacket and the painting of the lady wearing it.

Cheer,
Jane