Tuesday 20 April 2010

Moderation

Thank you kind friends for all your support and encouragement once again, the result of which was I took my finished T shirt to moderation day on Saturday. I didn't wear it (even with pegs attached) as we have to set out our stuff at 9 am and then go off and leave it all day with the moderators so they wouldn't have seen it if I'd worn it. We won't know results for a few days yet but the course director kept my display boards with the drawings and samples as she wants to use them for displays... a good sign I hope?

This meant we had a whole day to while away in Colchester. A few of us signed up for a talk by the costume curator of the Colchester and Ipswich museums' costume collection. Thinking it was going to be a lecture, imagine our delight to find we would be getting up close and handling some amazing pieces from the collection. There were exquisite plain sewing samples like this.

Lots of samplers like this Berlin woolwork spot sampler...

and this 17th century spot sampler with metal thread embroidery.

A shot silk taffeta jabot dating back to 1860 with beautiful covered buttons.

A fabulous over the top Victorian tea cosy in silk patchwork. I don't think I'm going to start making tea cosoies like this one!

This tiny little purse was covered in minute little beads, so small you could barely see them.

There were several Bulgarian samples with beautiful pulled fabric work.

A beautiful Liberty smocked child's dress.

And this man's suit waistcoat, again with the most amazing embroidered buttons.

These are just a few of the treasures we got to handle, all of which helped the day pass quickly. We also got to sit in the sunshine, drink lots of tea, eat cake and natter so not a bad moderation day all in all!

19 comments:

  1. Wow, that sounds like such a splendid day! Bet that your work will get very good comments.

    The museum textiles you photographed are pretty incredible. I keep thinking about the conditions under which such antique pieces were made (electricity, heat, ...?)

    Best wishes. xo

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  2. Sounds like a pretty good day. Thank you for showing us some of the things you saw - amazing work. Good luck - I'm sure you won't need it (keeping your displays is, I'm sure, very good sign!) x

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  3. looks like a good day was had by all, sorry I missed it. Its amazing when you don't have attend a moderation how out of the loop you feel- guess thats the problem with us doing distance learning.

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  4. I'm not surprised they kept your displays! Sounds like a fab day. I love the last piece - just imagine the dandy who'd have worn that waistcoat!

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  5. The treats in the museum look like the perfect distraction for you...

    They must have kept your display boards because they are such a good example of how to do it..

    You deserved the tea, cake and sunshine too!

    Celia
    x

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  6. I'm sure you work will be well appreciated and get top marks! I love the overthetop tea cosy and that smocked dress, well just gorgeous!

    xxx

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  7. Wow that turned out to be a super day the work is lovely, and the tea cosies are just right for afternoon tea!!! Good luck for the moderation results, but they must have thought the work was super to keep the display boards. x

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  8. Thank you for sharing your day with us. I particularly enjoyed the picture of the Jabot.

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  9. Well done, I'm sure it's a favourable sign.

    Thank you for posting all the pictures, such wonderful work.

    Glad you had tea and cakes too.

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  10. I was "blown away" just looking at your photos....... I can't imagine how exciting it must have been to handle these exquisite textiles!!!!!!!

    Great news re the keeping of your work for display...... :O)

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  11. So pleased you decided to take your tee shirt ,yes that does bode well if they are keeping your display ,the best of good luck anyway ,Arent those samples amazing ,how beatiful and they didnt have good light or sewing machines like ours ,what a wonderful day ...love Jan xx

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  12. What a lovely and stimulating day you had Gina. Being able to examine those pieces will have given you lots to think about and maybe a few ideas for future coursework. Thanks for sharing them with us.

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  13. What a fantastic day Gina. Good luck with the results! The embroidery is beautiful, I think my DH would enjoy the gorggeous waistcoat.

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  14. Just a thimbleful....

    Sounds as though you had a wonderful day too ! I bet you DO have a go at making an OTT Victorian tea cosy, you won't be able to resist it!

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  15. I think that's an excellent sign Gina - the equivalent of standing up in class to read out your story.

    Oof I do love those spot samplers, but the waistcoat is beautiful - funny how it echoes Cath Kidston yet it's for a man. Mr P and I went to Whitby recently and visited the museum. There were four inch heels there, apparently worn by men in the 1780s - probably with this waistcoat!

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  16. Sounds like a great compliment, that your instructor would chose your pieces for display! Congratulations!!

    And what a lovely treat you had, as a reward :) The tea cozy is a gem, and I love the thorns on the waistcoat roses!

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  17. beautiful images and Im sure you'll have passed - they must have been impressed to keep your boards -well done :)

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  18. Beautiful textiles! How long do you have to wait to hear about the moderation?

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  19. I'm really glad you took that fabulous tee shirt with you on Saturday - I am sure they were more than impressed!
    Love the tea cosy - highly practical!

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