Monday, December 23, 2013

1864 Smoking Cap

I finished what I thought was going to be a quick project after several weekends of handwork, but I think it turned out okay for my first attempt at soutache.

I used the January 1864 pattern and directions from Peterson's Magazine. As per the instructions, with the black velvet base and use of blue soutache I used gold beads as the accent.  The tassels is gold and blue embroidery floss bound together and set under a gold decorative button.  The interior is black sateen embroidered with a diamond motif and padded with wool batting.  I really enjoyed working with the soutache and the beading went relatively quickly, it was picking out the tissue paper from the crown after the braid and bead work was done that took FOREVER.  Tweezers saved the day!

January 1864 Smoking Cap instructions from Perterson's Magazine.
Finished 1860s Smoking Cap.