Starting a new leaf before the New Year

I've decided to start a mini project Blog where I'll keep track of my Indian 16thC creative projects. Somewhere I can upload pics & notes on the projects in progress and have a record on hand.

Currently there are several projects on the boil. Am in the final stages of finishing a man's wallet based on one I'd seen in a Mughal miniature painting. Not having found an extent example my version is very much theoretical and not constructed as it would have been in the late 1500's. The pouch does give the impression of the era though, is eminently practical for my needs and I'm happy with the the standard of work. All that remains to be done is the applique of the last four triangles and several tassels on the corners.

The next project arrived by default I suppose. Doing reenactments also calls for jewellery and I've put together a small but solid collection. They do need some protection and storage so I decided to use scraps of fabric to hand and work up several bags, one per item.

The dhoti that I edged with a six inch silk border earlier this year and never wore, it's far too sheer a muslin, might be fine as a chaddar. The silk edge does need some form of embellishment and once Tennyson gives it up as his bed and shedding all over it I shall begin doing so. The design is a re-work of a motif I've been exploring since last year.

The lawn that I bought and wore to War in August this year has been over dyed successfully and stashed. My reference book search has been wonderfully fruitful thanks to Janet's efforts in the Village! I spent much of the late summer comparing Indian trade textiles of the 12thC to 17thC and Hindu miniatures dating from the 15thC and the Western regions of India. To date I've roughed out several ideas and motifs that I want to apply over the next month that I am on vacation.

A year ago I began a fan idea. Yes it is pushing the boundaries since I am using cardboard for the stiffening agent in the core with fabric stretched and decorated over that. Again the decorative motifs are an adaptation of various motifs in historic Indian textiles. I'm in the last stages of working out the patterns and scales required, the covering fabric has been prepped and is waiting, the supplies such as peacock feathers need to be graded and sorted for the outer edge of the fan then it's a case of away we go.

Next there is the jewellery I'm developing. That is a topic on it's own!