. Feathered Friends This morning I was awakened by the chirping of birds outside the bedroom window, a sure sign of spring.  Birds are migrating north and house finches are building nests throughout the neighborhood.  We even have a pair of doves that roost in the grape vines that cover our patio roof lattice. Early…

Tartan,  Plaid By Any Other Name Plaid now refers to a pattern of stripes and checks, but originally, it was a type of Scottish Highland dress.  Scottish kilts, 2 yards wide by 6 yards long, are worn pleated around the wearer.  Plaid also refers to a shawl or mantle worn over the shoulder and fastened…

Tartan,  Plaid By Any Other NamePlaid now refers to a pattern of stripes and checks, but originally, it was a type of Scottish Highland dress.  Scottish kilts, 2 yards wide by 6 yards long, are worn pleated around the wearer.  Plaid also refers to a shawl or mantle worn over the shoulder and fastened with…

Starting a Textile Library I have a weakness for books.  Our home has floor-to-ceiling bookcases filled with books.  My office has bookcases filled with textile reference books.  I received a question not long ago asking if , in this day of internet information, it  is necessary to acquire texts for a personal library.  My answer…

Starting a Textile Library I have a weakness for books.  Our home has floor-to-ceiling bookcases filled with books.  My office has bookcases filled with textile reference books.  I received a question not long ago asking if , in this day of internet information, it  is necessary to acquire texts for a personal library.  My answer…

Blackwork/Redwork Embroidery There is some confusion over these two embroidery styles.  It is not just the obvious difference of the colored thread. Let us start with Blackwork.  Traditionally blackwork was black silk thread used to embroider mosaic designs onto white linen.  Some early writers attributed the introduction of this embroidery to Catherine of Aragon and…