Greth vom Schwartwalt
Hello West Kingdom. Thank you for coming to look at the art I have been working on while we have been squirreled away for this Plague. I dabble in a few different mediums and will be showing you a few examples of my Embroidery Work, my Book Binding and some shield painting.
Hello West Kingdom. Thank you for coming to look at the art I have been working on while we have been squirreled away for this Plague. I dabble in a few different mediums and will be showing you a few examples of my Embroidery Work, my Book Binding and some shield painting.
I hope you enjoy perusing and please feel free to leave me any comments or critiques. I can be contacted at Stacy@lastsf.com or via Instagram at QuietRitualPress. I would love to answer any questions you have or chit chat about art.
I hope you enjoy perusing and please feel free to leave me any comments or critiques. I can be contacted at Stacy@lastsf.com or via Instagram at QuietRitualPress. I would love to answer any questions you have or chit chat about art.
Black Book of the Bard of the West
Black Book of the Bard of the West
I was commissioned to make a new Black Book of the Bard of the West and was given free rein to make it whatever I saw fit. The Binding is a cord binding we often see in medieval books. The covers are made of layered book board but would have been made of wood during the period. The headband has been hand woven into the pages in westie colors of course! The front is also set with semi-precious stones. Now all the future Bards of the West can have a place to store their great works and pass on to the next Bard.
I was commissioned to make a new Black Book of the Bard of the West and was given free rein to make it whatever I saw fit. The Binding is a cord binding we often see in medieval books. The covers are made of layered book board but would have been made of wood during the period. The headband has been hand woven into the pages in westie colors of course! The front is also set with semi-precious stones. Now all the future Bards of the West can have a place to store their great works and pass on to the next Bard.
All the pages were custom printed (digitally) and then hand torn, folded into signatures and then punched for stitching.
All the pages were custom printed (digitally) and then hand torn, folded into signatures and then punched for stitching.
The exposed spine showing how the signatures are stitched to the cords holding the whole book together.
The exposed spine showing how the signatures are stitched to the cords holding the whole book together.
The board used for the front cover and the deboss details.
The board used for the front cover and the deboss details.
The woven headband and book mark
The woven headband and book mark
All the inner parts ready for the cover to be attached to the body of the book.
All the inner parts ready for the cover to be attached to the body of the book.
The finished book wrapped in soft leather and worked into the shapes on the cover. Semi-precious stone cabochons set into their places and the inner end sheets to finish it all off.
The finished book wrapped in soft leather and worked into the shapes on the cover. Semi-precious stone cabochons set into their places and the inner end sheets to finish it all off.
Shield Book
Shield Book
I had the Honor of making a vigil book for my amazing friend, she was elevated to the Order of the Laurel this year. This book is constructed the same way as the Black Book of the Bard of the West. Interior paper was left blank for people to add whatever kind of missives for the new Laurel. All the pages were hand torn, folded and sewn onto cords to build the inner structure. This book included machine woven headbands and a book mark. The cover is made of debossed book board and covered in soft leather.
I had the Honor of making a vigil book for my amazing friend, she was elevated to the Order of the Laurel this year. This book is constructed the same way as the Black Book of the Bard of the West. Interior paper was left blank for people to add whatever kind of missives for the new Laurel. All the pages were hand torn, folded and sewn onto cords to build the inner structure. This book included machine woven headbands and a book mark. The cover is made of debossed book board and covered in soft leather.
Rose Hood
Rose Hood
I got to sink my teeth into a fun decorative embroidery project in 2020 to 2021. My commissioner asked me to embellish her favored hood and bring it up to snuff for a lady of her renown. She wanted 3 colors of Tudor roses and some fancy trim work. I designed the pattern from scratch based on Tudor rose designs from in period and laid them out in fission after designs seen in illuminated manuscripts
I got to sink my teeth into a fun decorative embroidery project in 2020 to 2021. My commissioner asked me to embellish her favored hood and bring it up to snuff for a lady of her renown. She wanted 3 colors of Tudor roses and some fancy trim work. I designed the pattern from scratch based on Tudor rose designs from in period and laid them out in fission after designs seen in illuminated manuscripts
the digital mock up
the digital mock up
The finished flat embroidery (so sorry I forgot to take progress photos of the stitching, stitches used are chain stitch and back stitch).
The finished flat embroidery (so sorry I forgot to take progress photos of the stitching, stitches used are chain stitch and back stitch).
All the finished embroidery ready to be appliqued onto the hood.
All the finished embroidery ready to be appliqued onto the hood.
All the work finished! The edged of the applique are embroidered down with the couched cord. The edges of the garment are sealed with a blanket stich.
All the work finished! The edged of the applique are embroidered down with the couched cord. The edges of the garment are sealed with a blanket stich.
As a special surprise I added a Sable Swan and an ermine cross to the design to make it extra special for its new owner.
As a special surprise I added a Sable Swan and an ermine cross to the design to make it extra special for its new owner.
Square Brick Stitch Bag
Square Brick Stitch Bag
This is my second attempt at a German Brick Stitch Purse. I have not fully completed this project but I will show you what I have thus far. This pattern is based on section from a 14th Century German Tapestry but I had a few issues in “solving” the pattern so it is also of my own design. In period this kind of stitching would be done on even wave linen with silk thread but for this one I used Aida or cross stich cloth and DMC cotton floss. As I am still learning this technique I wanted to save on the cost.
This is my second attempt at a German Brick Stitch Purse. I have not fully completed this project but I will show you what I have thus far. This pattern is based on section from a 14th Century German Tapestry but I had a few issues in “solving” the pattern so it is also of my own design. In period this kind of stitching would be done on even wave linen with silk thread but for this one I used Aida or cross stich cloth and DMC cotton floss. As I am still learning this technique I wanted to save on the cost.
I started with the plum purple and then filled in the chartreuse.
I started with the plum purple and then filled in the chartreuse.
Slowly making my way from one end of the bag to the other.
Slowly making my way from one end of the bag to the other.
Close up of the finished work embroidery. I think my eyelets need some work on this bag.
Close up of the finished work embroidery. I think my eyelets need some work on this bag.
The finished lining attached and lining up the edges.
The finished lining attached and lining up the edges.
Sewing the 2 edges closed and including the kumihimo braided cord for the belt loop.
Sewing the 2 edges closed and including the kumihimo braided cord for the belt loop.
Where I am so far. This bag needs a cord to cinch it closed and some tassels in the bottom 2 corners and she’s finished.
Where I am so far. This bag needs a cord to cinch it closed and some tassels in the bottom 2 corners and she’s finished.
Mercy Shield
Mercy Shield
This shield was started before the plague hit and it ended up taking longer than expected. This is the third shield I have painted and I learned a lot with this one. It is an aluminum shield that is covered in canvass. I used acrylic paints for durability and sealed it with wood sealer. This project is meant for the tourney field so I wanted it to last instead of using period tempura or gouache paints. This was an exciting project and I am looking forward to more like it.
This shield was started before the plague hit and it ended up taking longer than expected. This is the third shield I have painted and I learned a lot with this one. It is an aluminum shield that is covered in canvass. I used acrylic paints for durability and sealed it with wood sealer. This project is meant for the tourney field so I wanted it to last instead of using period tempura or gouache paints. This was an exciting project and I am looking forward to more like it.
Again, Thanks for taking a look at my work. Feel free to leave me comments or critiques, all input is welcome. And if you would like to get in contact with me, I can be reached at Stacy@Lastsf.com or Via Instagram @QuietRitualPress.
Again, Thanks for taking a look at my work. Feel free to leave me comments or critiques, all input is welcome. And if you would like to get in contact with me, I can be reached at Stacy@Lastsf.com or Via Instagram @QuietRitualPress.
I also wanted to take a moment and thank my three amazing Laure’s, Lucrezia Ana Callista Caracciola da Venezia, Erzsébeta Magdaléna and Üta Kathrina Felhamer. With out you three I would be lost.
I also wanted to take a moment and thank my three amazing Laure’s, Lucrezia Ana Callista Caracciola da Venezia, Erzsébeta Magdaléna and Üta Kathrina Felhamer. With out you three I would be lost.