Amalie von Hohensee

Challenges Entered: Solo Performance Challenge, Down the Rabbit Hole

Projects: Period Methods for Transferring Embroidery Patterns, Period Performance of Hildegard and Monteverdi

Down the Rabbit Hole: Research Paper on Period Pattern Transfer

In preparing my entries for the both the 2019 and the 2020 Crown Arts and Sciences competition, I wanted to try to recreate historical embroidery techniques as closely as possible - including how the embroidery pattern was transferred onto the fabric. For my 2019 entry, I used the prick and pounce transfer method, and in 2020, I turned to Cennino Cennini’s Il Libro dell’Arte, published around the turn of the 15th century, for advice, and found that was sufficient for the time. However, that topic has continued to intrigue me ever since, and so I proceeded…down the rabbit hole!

From what I have observed through various social media groups on historical embroidery, when embroiderers ask about historical pattern transfer techniques, they are generally referred to a method known as “prick and pounce,” in which a pattern is pricked with tiny holes, laid onto the embroidery fabric, and then covered with a powdered substance. The idea is that the powder passes through the tiny holes, leaving a connect-the-dots version of the original design on the fabric with the powder. This technique is fairly time and labor intensive, and is, frankly, kind of a pain, so I was curious about the particular details of when and why this technique originated. And naturally, I was also curious if there were other options for modern embroiderers hoping to use a less time-intensive but still historically-informed method of pattern transfer.

To read my whole paper on historical pattern transfer methods, check out: https://drive.google.com/file/d/1qnygnpuh14sEg3hmi-0xowgiW6wmNOuE/view?usp=sharing

Period Performance: Hildegard and Monteverdi

For my entry to this Laurels’ Challenge, my goal was to compare the experience of singing the twelfth century chant-based music of Hildegard von Bingen with that of the early seventeenth century opera of Claudio Monteverdi. The two styles of singing are very different, and I really enjoyed diving into each one!

Check out my performances in the links below!

For an extended discussion of my experience singing them, check out the attached paper: https://drive.google.com/file/d/1u3XSnikxN7Bkk2iDxA4DEfQ0xP17BEam/view?usp=sharing

If the paper sparks any questions or discussion, feel free to ping me - I'd love to chat!

Guðrún Sveinsdóttir (Rosie of Mtn Freehold) wrote on June 5th, 2021

Both of these projects are wonderful! Your music was gorgeous, and as a musician, I really enjoyed reading about the different vocal techniques in the 2 eras you chose. The pattern transfer options are also really interesting -- I really appreciate learning about the tricks to keep the pattern from distorting, etc. Thank you for sharing!

Jan Janowicz Bogdanski wrote on June 1st, 2021

Okay...now I need to look at other parts of Ceninni! I loved both of these entries for completely different reasons. I have something to hang the embroidery transfer on, so that was additional insight. The vocals, on the other hand, was something completely new and involved far more than I realized. Wonderful!

Peregrine the Illuminator wrote on May 29th, 2021

Your comparison of the experience singing these two styles has an excellent level of detail about throat tension and breath control that brings to life the details of your experience. As someone who has spent his singing life passively choosing "not to develop any vibrato at all," your details make me question what it is that causes the "pure tone" that I use to describe good vocal technique without vibrato. As I have no answer, I look forward to a discussion of this. Meanwhile, your performances demonstrate the styles, and the results of your experience, enriching your written descriptions.

Ibrahim al-Rashid wrote on May 28th, 2021

Thanks for sharing this look at different ways of transferring designs to fabric. This is something I've also wondered a but never taken the time to research.

Melissande of Berwick wrote on May 28th, 2021

Thank you for sharing the alternatives to pouncing. using a light box/window to transfer design is something I have used for years when marking a quilt top prior to hand quilting it. Glad to see that it is a technique that has been in use for centuries.

Isabel del Okes wrote on May 25th, 2021

These performances are beautiful! Also, the write up on transferring embroidery patters is really cool. Nice to know I don't have to "prick and pounce" to be historical. :) Thank you!

Agnes de Calais wrote on May 23rd, 2021

Your voice is so strong and clear. I truly enjoyed both pieces and hope to hear you again soon.