Constance Howard Resource and Research Centre
Monday, January 7, 2008 at 6:48AM | Sharon B | 8 Comments | in Collections, Contemporary Textiles, Hand Embroidery, Historical textiles, Samplers I have been poking about the Constance Howard Resource and Research Centre in Textiles housed on VADS which is hosted by Goldsmiths College, University of London.
The collection houses images from Constance Howard's Study Collection. Make your self a cuppa settle back and enjoy browsing these textiles.
I particularly enjoyed this modern sampler of geometric blocks and lines exploring surface and counted stitches, and this modern pulled work sampler, and this modern sampler of short lengths of different stitches. A sampler was worked in the 1930s and contains counted thread, drawn thread work, couching, needle weaving and a large variety of surface stitches. A small panel of appliquéd rag done in the 1980s still looks as if it could have been done last month. I really liked this metal thread work panel of a landscape.
There are many contemporary samplers on the site which I think people will enjoy. This sampler done in the 1960s is an interesting piece of canvas work and this piece looked as if it has been worked for TAST. I simply loved this little sample.
As I say make yourself a cuppa settle back and enjoy this collection as there is a lot there to look at and think about.
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Reader Comments (8)
a great collection thanks for the link
Thank you for this link Sharon. It was buying two books by Constance Howard in a secondhand book shop that sparked my interest in 'creative embroidery'. Before then, I had seen nothing other than the 'traditional' cross stitch, crewel, needlepoint and cutwork. Once I had Constance's books, I had to have a go.
Thank you so much for sharing such a wonderful resource. This is one of my very favorite parts of your blog, your wonderful museum and collection links.
I will be teaching History of Modern Art starting tomorrow and one of my challenges is to include work made in fiber. That is one of the aspects of Modern Art that I love, and that is not often taught, is the adverturous foray outside of the usual mediums. This will be a great resource for me.
I hope to be albe to take one of your classes this year for sure. Thank you for your diligence and hard work on this site. You are inspiring teacher. Lenora
http://alliesinstitches.blogspot.com/2008/01/take-it-furtherjanuary-day-3.html
This is my third post on my TIF for January. So far, so good!
It is a green and purple worldwide web these days...and so much fun seeing everyone interpret the palette differently!
this is a wonderful link. Really generated some ideas for the Take it Further Challenge. Thanks for the great info!
pdc
I'm lucky enough to have one of Constance Howards books, a friend gave it to me as a Christmas present having received it as an unwanted gift!! Great site and one I've earmarked to look at further.
Mulling over design ideas for the challenge still, nothing to report yet but its beginning to form.
Luv Annette
TIF is moving forward. Just about ready to begin the admiration concept. Made a few sketches. I'm already surprised at how my ideas have changed in the past week.
http://susanfordoozen.blogspot.com
Wonderful web site! I may do my next TIF piece after one of the samplers. I've posted my second effort for the Challenge on my blog and on Flickr. I plan to do four pieces for the first Challenge.
http://tuscanysblues.blogspot.com/
http://www.flickr.com/groups/584069@N24/