In the early 1960s, a young agriculture historian named M. L. Ryder had the idea to use parchment manuscripts to research medieval sheep breeds. He surveyed manuscript illuminations for evidence of the colors,… Continue reading
It’s a crafter’s dilemma – should I finish each project before starting another? Or is it okay to have multiple projects going at once? I like to have multiple projects going, but I… Continue reading
A few days ago, when I was looking at the Hollywood costume sketches at the Brooklyn Museum, I noticed this wonderful dress diary in their archives. The diary’s owner, Ida Jackson, was born… Continue reading
Wouldn’t you love to be rummaging around at an auction or thrift store, and discover a box crammed full of costume swatches and sketches? Hollywood Sketchbook: A Century of Costume Illustration is the… Continue reading
Summer being known for reruns, let’s look at one of my favorite posts from the past. In it, I combined my love of old movies and textiles, and made up the kinds of… Continue reading
I’m still staying inside out of the heat, cataloging my antique photos. I’ve been working in the 1880s, and here are a few of my favorites. When you look closely, you can see… Continue reading
It’s August, it’s hot, and I have plans to only work on projects that involve sitting still and sipping cooling drinks. One that fits the bill is cataloging the antique photographs I’ve collected… Continue reading
Porch time… Swimming holes… Or rivers, in town… And out of town… Dance halls… And don’t forget to hit all the thrift stores and fruit stands for souvenirs! My husband had the… Continue reading
What do you do when there’s no Wikipedia page? In my last three posts, I have given you some small samples from the 1936 book, The Romance of French Weaving. There are so… Continue reading
Today is Bastille Day, and while the crowds outside are celebrating with music and fireworks, let’s slip down a cool dim hallway to lose ourselves in a treasury of French craftsmanship. From 1732… Continue reading
