I bought this embroidered Chinese collar so long ago that I am no longer exactly sure of the circumstances of its purchase, though I believe it was a rummage-sale type of fund-raiser for the old Madison Art Center. Judging by this textile, the items for sale were not your ordinary second-hand goods.
This would have been part of a Chinese robe, though everyday or ceremonial I can't say. I can say however that it is a lovely piece of work.
It's heavy dark blue silk covered in embroidered birds and flowers, along with scallops created out of couched gold thread.
For years I thought I would add it to a collarless fabric jacket so I could wear it myself. But eventually I decided if it was ever going to live anywhere but in a dark drawer, I should mount it. And so I did. I will say that sewing a heavy silk item to lighter silk fabric using silk thread, silk pins and even a silk needle was a lot harder than I expected.
But now that it's done I'm more than happy with the results. For the time being I decided to just put it on top of one of the bookcases in the studio. The basket is part of my small collection of Ikebana containers, though it is Japanese not Chinese.
My sister-in-law said I needed to put something in with the collar to indicate its size. The stretched silk frame is 22 inches wide (55.88 cm.) x 26 inches high (60.96cm.). I think the dollar bill works nicely to show the scale of the collar.
Still no flowers from my garden. Snowdrops are the blooms I usually see first as I have some planted close to the house on the south side. But until they appear, my flowers may be pretty but they won't be living. To see what other gardeners could actually pick from their garden, visit Cathy at Rambling in the Garden who hosts this addictive Monday meme.
What a treasure! It looks great sewn onto this fabric. It is a good thing to get it mounted so you can appreciate more and so can others.
My Snowdrops finally opened this past week. Yours will follow soon. It won't be as long as it has been. That is what I keep telling myself. :)
Posted by: Lisa at Greenbow | Monday, February 19, 2018 at 06:31 AM
Simply stunning. So glad you brought it out of the dark drawer.
Posted by: Jane Miller | Monday, February 19, 2018 at 08:38 AM
Having a dedicated studio space is making it much easier to finish projects that have been hanging around forever. Working on a long-term project to write a book about our garden. A "Blurb" book but a big, hardcover, lots of pix book for me. I joke that it will be something that I can read in the "home," but it is not really that much of a joke.
Posted by: Linda Brazill | Monday, February 19, 2018 at 08:50 AM
What a beautiful piece of embroidery, and such a treasure to own and display - and wonderfully out of the box for IAVOM too. Thanks so much for sharing it today
Posted by: Cathy | Monday, February 19, 2018 at 09:18 AM
The background color you chose really sets off the collar, but I think it would look good on any color, really. Lovely, just lovely. I'm glad you are getting work done in the workroom! Wish I could say the same.
Posted by: Barbara H. | Monday, February 19, 2018 at 09:29 AM
I keep reminding myself that organizing the space and reading the unread garden books on the shelves is OK. I don't have to be making something for me to feel like I'm getting something done. I am a list maker and if I can't cross something off, I always feel like I must be wasting my time! Very bad habit.
Posted by: Linda Brazill | Monday, February 19, 2018 at 09:43 AM
Absolutely gorgeous flowers....I would love to see that up close....the colors, the texture....as if real flowers were forever on the wall to enjoy!
Posted by: Donna@GardensEyeView | Monday, February 19, 2018 at 10:28 AM
That's a beautiful piece of embroidery Linda, and many thanks for sharing it with us. I see flowers and a beautiful vase. One of the things you could add to your list...is make a new list and destroy the old one.
Posted by: Noelle | Monday, February 19, 2018 at 11:15 AM
Gorgeous, and definitely better on display than in a drawer.
Posted by: Loree / danger garden | Monday, February 19, 2018 at 11:46 AM
Gorgeous collar/winter garden. So glad you decided to bring it out of the dark drawer and mount it!
Posted by: Peter/Outlaw | Monday, February 19, 2018 at 01:15 PM
It makes a lovely piece of art, Linda, and kudos to you for doing a proper job of mounting it. I remember a silk scarf I had tucked away that I kept for years after realizing I'd never wear it as a scarf, thinking I could frame it as art. I think I eventually gave it away but I should dig about in my closet to check.
Posted by: Kris P | Monday, February 19, 2018 at 05:25 PM
Wow. That is stunning. You have the most interesting little collections. I enjoy seeing them.
Posted by: Erin @ The Impatient Gardener | Tuesday, February 20, 2018 at 10:40 AM