Sewing In Art

I've always found the way sewing (and other crafts) have been portrayed in media a fascinating thing.  Many other bloggers have looked at the changing face of sewing over the last century or so, and I've very briefly touched on it here, but I thought it might be fun to look at sewing even further back than that - through art.

So the first installment in the "Sewing In Art" series:

(source)

This is a book scan from the Tacuina Sanitatis, a 14th century book on health and well being.  The description reads "Linen Clothing".  

The fabric, if it's proportional looks to be a very narrow bolt - and look at the size of those shears!  Also, proportionally, the figures sitting and sewing seem to be smaller than the ones standing.  I wonder if this signifies status or importance.  Notice that the girl sitting with her back to us in the green dress is wearing her differently to the other women.  I wonder if she is younger, perhaps some kind of apprentice?

See lady standing in the white gown?  I wondered at first if she was a teacher, but I think she's the customer!  The fabric of her dress looks similar to the fabric on the table, and the stuff being worked on by the seated ladies.

Now if I can just figure out why this house of couture is perched on the edge of a cliff! ;)

So... what do you see in this picture?

Extra Read

I had the pleasure recently of doing a guest post over at Only Handmade.  Check it out!

The Happy Heart Dress

I wrote earlier this year about the Happy Heart Dress.  A week before her birthday Miss I, my middle girlie, asked me again about her dress...  How could I say no to the birthday girl?  It was a close call - I was sewing on the last button right as her first party guests were arriving. 

My hand stitched buttonholes imperfect but functional, and the buttons cover them well.  I'm also pretty sure I did the continuous lap incorrectly, but it works so perhaps not?  The bodice is underlined with some cute paisley fabric, and the stretch cotton sateen was wonderful to work with.  I really love the fit of this dress and with the skirt starting at the natural waistline, it's a very flattering silhouette.

Naturally, for the red & white striped under blouse, I managed to find a pattern for the most complicated construction I've ever seen, so on short notice my friend Steph suggested the $4 Victory shirt.  It worked great, and the birthday girl didn't mind at all.

Twirling!