| Beadwrangler Magazine ReviewMarch/April,
2000
Just when I thought Piecework
couldn’t be any better than the January/February 2000 issue, along comes March/April!
Remember the tatted baby booties from last time? Well, now we have a pattern for a baby
sampler for the child! It is on page 57 of the new issue. If that baby needs crocheted
edging on any garments, you can find a pattern on page 52.
It is fun to read about projects that
other people have done. The first ten pages of this issue contain just that in letters to
the editor, Tapestry, and Favorite Things.
Paper dolls are a childhood passion of
many of us. Wonderful memories will be come to mind while reading about a paper doll,
Amanda, and her family making a journey from Tennessee to Texas in the 1800’s. The
doll and her wardrobe are shown in Amanda’s Journey on page 20. A pattern for an
embroidered linen collar is on page 26 and a quilt block for Amanda is on page 28.
The hooked rug stair runner depicting a
family’s history is showcased in an article by Sandy Morgan on page 30 A less
ambitious, but none the less wonderful project is a hooked wall hanging on page 36.
Kate Slaughterback was a woman who lived
in the early part of the 20th century. She got her nickname, Rattlesnake Kate, from an
encounter with 140 rattlesnakes. From the skins and rattles, she made a dress, headband
and shoes which are on exhibit in Greely Colorado. The fascinating story by Peggy Ford can
be found on page 38. A prairie shawl pattern (not a rattlesnake dress pattern) follows the
article. Then there is an article about homesteading.
January/February, 2000
Information overload is an apt description of the
January/February 2000 issue of Piecework.
Do you have a special newborn baby in your life? Tatted
booties are just what that child needs! See the article about Norma Benporath, an
Australian treasure, on page 12.
The needlework which adorned clothing during the
Elizabethan period are highlighted in Bess of Hardwick Hall and Her Household Stuffe. A
cross stitch or needlepoint pattern from the period follows. Embroideries of maps and
globes are the topic of the next article.
Quilting the Mariner’s Compass contains photos and a
template for quilters who would like to use this time honored pattern.
Beautiful hand stitched buttons would be a lovely
embellishment for any special item. Find a pattern on page 45 in the article, A Button
Cover to Embroider.
Dressing 29 inch dolls in period clothing is the passion
of John R. Burbidge. Find his story on pages 46-50.
The knitted Diamond Normandy Lace which was adapted
by Judith Durant would make a wonderful lace edging for any elegant item.
November/December, 1999
The focus of this issue is on needlework which was made
for religious, ceremonial and spiritual purposes. There are Roman Catholic Lenten Veils,
Jewish Yarmulkes and Buddists Robes. These three articles provide interesting reading
about fiber arts.
Ricky Clark’s article about Julietter Hamelecourt and
her tapestries and embroidered pieces show how a current artist is breathing new life into
medival themes.
Spirit Warmers: Traditonal Vests of the Doukhobors
gives a brief history of this sect which began in Russia in the 17th century and came to
Canada. The vests worn by the women have lovely work on the front and are pleated across
the back to allow the arms to move freely. They also appear to be warm -- a nice quality
in the climates of Russia and Canada!
An article about the effigies of British royalty from
Westminster Abbey describe centuries of royal fashion.
This issue contains instructions for knitted Estonian
mittens, a quilted evening purse, an embroidered medieval vine, a cross stitched bread
cloth and a crocheted yarmulke -- projects for everyone!
September/October
1999
The September/October 1999
issue of Piecework is filled with really interesting articles. Beginning
with the cover story about embroidered monograms which is complete with the patterns for
all the letters of the alphabet.
A form of cross stitch,
Portugese Arraiolos has been passed down for many generations. It is used for rug making.
Grandma Dee’s
Stockings were knit of cotton and in 1908 when she arrived in America from Itally she
realized that her stockings were not what American women were wearing. So she set about
raveling them and making other items from the cotton. Two pair managed to remain intact
which are being treasured by four of her grandchildren. This two page article is really
heartwarming.
Before the invention of
machines to manufacture them, handmade pins and needles were items to be treasured. This
necessity was the reason for the existance of pin cushions. The article beginning on page
50 is accompanied by pictures of pin cushions dating back to the seventeenth century.
Laundry marks have and had
a utilitarian use. We all had our names sewn into or written on our clothing when we were
children. But the woven and embroidered labels have existed for centuries as reported in
the article beginning on page 22.
Tea cozies originated out
of necessity to keep the tea hot, but now cozies are used for fashion. Instructions for
knitting a tea cozy are included in this article.
Finally in this issue of Piecework
there are many book reviews and also advertisments which set my heart to fluttering and my
check book to trembling! This issue is a good read for anyone interesting in fiber arts!
July/August 1999
The July/August 1999 issue
of Piecework has a patriotic theme. A report about the spinning and knitting which
was done in New Zealand making socks for soldiers makes interesting reading. Of course a
pattern for knitted socks is included.
First Lady, Grace Coolidge, found
needlework relaxing when things were stressful. Some of her patriotic works are pictured.
The article which follows this one contains instructions for crocheting a pillow picturing
the Liberty Bell.
In Belgium lace was made to commemorate
the war. This article contains pictures of the lace as well as lacemakers sitting at their
lace pillows among war devastated homes.
Embroiderers and quilters have not been
omitted from this issue. Embroidered hankies and patriotic quilts are also included in
this issue of Piecework.
May/June
1999
The May/June 1999 Piecework
highlights Nature in Needlework: Embroidery, Needlework, Bead embroidery, Assisi
embroidery (filling in the background, leaving design plain), Cross stitch and back
stitch, Applique, Quilting, all using themes from Nature. In addition, Theresa Gaffey
writes on "Gilding the Lily: Embellishment on Knitting." A "Cameo Floral
Baby Afghan" designed by Nicky Epstein uses knitted flowers in its design.
The article on "Napoleon
Bonaparte, Bees, and Embroidery," by Julianna Mahley, tells how Napoleon and
Josephine visited Lyon to demonstrate their interest in the silk industry. The bee motif
abounded, and some still exist. Tonie Evans gives complete instructions for a
"Metallic Embroidered Bee." It might be used to enhance a weaving.
In "And She Survived: The
Story of Myrtle Mitchell Wagers," by Jude Daurelle, one learns how hard life could be
at the beginning of the century. Still, there was beauty and creativity. Daurelle gives
complete instructions for a "Vine and Flower Edging in Filet Crochet" inspired
by a piece of Myrtle Wagers' filet crochet.
While this publication does not
have a lot for weavers and spinners, the adjunct arts are well presented. Many weavers
explore other crafts, and they would do well to read this magazine.
March/April
1999
Piecework, the magazine
subtitled "Craft & History Hand in Hand," has another interesting heading on
the cover of the March/April issue. "Women's History & Needlework" should
make this issue good reading for most members of the Guild.
Meeting head-on
the fact that March is Women's History Month, Piecework begins with "The Claim
Life of Jennie Mae Olsen," by Jude Daurelle, an article on fine needlework on a
Homestead in North Dakota. It helped considerably that diaries and handwritten memoirs
were left behind. The author teaches spinning and weaving and has a passion for women's
history. Instructions are given for "Jennie Mae Olsen's Fancy Bag."
Susan Goodier-Kalaf writes on the
U.S. Women's Suffrage Movement, "Through the Eye of the Needle." She points out
that "Some women who were involved with the suffrage movement considered needlework
symbolic of women's oppression." This is a fascinating article about something we
take very much for granted.
Meg Swanson writes eloquently
about her mother, "Elizabeth Zimmerman." Perhaps the best known of knitters,
Zimmerman developed many interesting methods. Directions for "A Heart Hat for
Baby," taken from one of her books, are given.
"Candace Wheeler: Champion of
Decorative Arts," by Mary Sue Hannan, tells of an innovative artist, textile
designer, wife, mother, and homemeker. These wonderful pages inspire one to want to read
Wheeler's autobiography, Yesterdays in a Busy Life. Directions for a "Crewel
Embroidered Book Cover," designed by Kathy Williams and stitched by Linda Carlson,
follow.
Would you believe that there was a
"Milkmaid Motif" from 1702 for several centuries? Elly Smith, a sampler maker,
describes this era and gives splendid illustrations. Directions for "Cross-Stitched
Milkmaid Samplers" follow.
Lynne Zacek Bassett writes a
must-read article on "Virtuous Habits of Perseverance: Quilting and the Education of
Girls in Nineteenth-Century America." A small inset, called "A Cautionary
Tale," should make each reader run to finish all projects stuffed away in drawers and
closets. Meg Grossman's "Hexagon Cradle Quilt," which uses paper templates, is
clearly delineated.
Product News,
letters, book reviews, columns such as "Tapestry" (the new and noteworthy),
"Favorite Things" (this time: dolls) and "WOW," (a bamboo
undergarment) should not be missed.
January/February
1999
The
January/February Piecework was hiding in the same desk with the SS&D
above.
It starts with an intriguing look
at "William Morris: Victorian England's Medieval Artisan," by Margaret Horton.
This accomplished man was a designer of wallpaper and printed fabrics as well as weaver,
dyer, stained glass and embroidery designer, poet, writer and political reformer.
Following articles on perforated
paper and patchwork quilts, there is "The Silk Industry of
Florence--Massachusetts," by Peter Weis and Ann Feitelson, an excellent history of
sericulture in the early United States. This is followed by "Fancy Red Silk Mittens
to Knit," by Ann Feitelson.
A burgeoning interest in the Guild
is "Tassels: Universal Decoration," by Nancy Welch. This interesting history of
Tassels is accompanied by wonderful illustrations.
This is followed by "A Beaded
Bag to Crochet, by Torri Hanna. Tassels of beads could probably be added to these bags.
There are many columns and
departments in this magazine, which announces that it is about "Craft and History
Hand in Hand." It really lives up to its claim.
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