I've been holding this in since 12th night.......

So, I've always kind of assumed pockets were firmly in the realm of the 18th century. Then I went poking through Holly's copy of Moda at 12th Night, and lo and behold.....

(1575-78; Florence; Woman at her toilet; Alessandro Allori; Church of Santa Maria Noevella, Gaddi chapel)

HOLY POCKETS BATMAN!!

Look at that pouch on her right hip.....does that not look like a pair of pockets to you?! It does to me....

My extremely un-educated deduction is that given her state of undress, it is entirely plausible that these pockets would (or could?) be worn underneath the over gown. Am I totally off-base here? I have not seen anything on late 16th century pockets, like, EVAR. Is this because it's completely ridiculous to even speculate, or is it because pockets are not the accessory research du-jour? Has anyone seen any research or documentation for pockets earlier than say.......1600?

And Holly found another painting that also shows some object that I would like to think is a pocket: (Woman in the pinkish red skirt, wearing a tan and black "pocket" on her right hip)

(1595; Birth of the Virgin (detail); Alessandro Allori; Cortona, Church of Santa Maria Nuova)

**Thank you to Holly for scanning these and getting them to me!!**

**EDIT: the ever-lovely Bella pointed me to http://katerina.purplefiles.net/garb/diaries/Kat's%20Soccaccia.html.
Another one of Katerina's pages is here: http://katerina.purplefiles.net/FlorenceFiles/FLAccessoriesSOCCACCIA.html
Katerina has found an extant Spanish pocket of the same time period here:
http://museodeltraje.mcu.es/index.jsp?id=48&ruta=4,17,48&referencia=MT00790
(jeez, that was hard to find! The English search functionality is broken, and had to go through the Spanish site. Ugh.)
I'm still totally jazzed for more info, but I'm tired out and need to go to bed. More lookin' around tomorrow.**

Oh, I've been a bad, bad girl....

I went to our local embroidery shop on a search for some titles that some people online are looking for, and I ended up getting a bunch of titles for me! I am SO excited for these books, they are SO AWESOME!!!!

"Tudor Treasures to Emboider" Pamela Warner
This book is actually kind of cheesy, but there are pictures of some extant garments I've not seen before. There is also some good basic stitch information.

"Smocking and Fine Sewing 19th c. Sources" Jules & Kaethe Kliot
Waaaaay OOP, but it has some good basic handsewing techniques, and I need to get better at handsewing! There is also some info that I am going to put to use in a camacia. I am SO EXCITED for this, I am no longer afeared of hand sewing a smock. YAY!

"Variety" Book No. 4 - a sewing manual from 1924. (Cool, eh?!)
Lots of information on whitework, Italian linen embroidery (oop, but cool!), pulled work, and Assisi stitches.

AND THE BEST FOR LAST......

"The Art of Elizabethan Emboidery: Stitches and Variations Used in Colored Silk and Metal Thread Embroidery - England, 1558-1625" Jane D. Zimmerman
THIS IS THE BOOK I HAVE BEEN LOOKING FOR!!!!! ZOMG!!!1!
*whew* Ok, but seriously, this book is really awesome. I wish I had this book about six months ago! It goes into detail about all the stitches, where they are used, in what types of threads, etc. There is also an interesting theory on plaited braid stitch and it's counterpart which I am going to have to see if I can work out. The long and short of it is, if anyone is wanting to know more about Elizabethan embroidery, BUY THIS BOOK!!!

*happy happy dance*

On a slightly sadder note, my gold passing thread showed up today. I'm not exactly thrilled......it's more bronze than gold, and the diameter is about 1/4 or less than the size of what I was hoping it would be. Anyone want to buy broze-y gold passing thread? (About 38 yds) I am not quite sure what I'll ever use it for. Bah.

Coif-y Update

I've been plugging away on the lighter green foliage, the close-ups are pretty boring, but the over-all effect is pretty rockin' if I do say so myself. It's coming right along!


I've run out of the darker green I've been using for flower bits. At this point I need to decide if I want totry to find a color that will work, order a whole new package of colors to get to the few I need, or hope against all hope that I can find a color that matches.

Hmmmm.

Upcoming projects, Sis edition

I ordered a ridonkulously large order of black wool to make husband's handsewn Hospitaller garb. (20 yds....I probably will only end up using 6 or less, since it's 60" wide. It was ON SALE, ok? Really, a SUPER GOOD SALE. It practically ordered itself!)

Sis wants to do some sort of Flemish-y project.....and the two worlds collide!! (And look at the cute apron and standing collar......wooooo!)

What do you think, Sis?