Those of you who have been in class with me know that I love
to share macro photos of historic pieces I have been researching. These photos show the unique materials, techniques and stitch mechanics we are usually exploring in class. We usually discuss the historical period and what may be known about thread making or the use of the objects.
Something important to me is providing this context with my courses. Therefore, I have been working with museum licensing departments to provide arrangements to use selections of my research photos for these online courses.
Another unique aspect is the use of animations in the Tudor and Stuart Gold Master Class. If you had the opportunity to see the exhibit video at the MET last winter, you know how powerful this can be to explain the complex stitch mechanics. During this course, animations will be used to augment the traditional stitch instructions. At the end of the course, all the animations will be shipped to the students for their private collection and for future reference.
Many of you on this list may have taken one or more of the projects in the Online University but want to see the historical info or benefit from the animations. Therefore, if you wish to 'audit' the course because you have the kit already, email me at tricia@alum.mit.edu for pricing for the audit or to get a price for the kit parts you don't already have.
Other course workings, costs and registration details are found on the
Online University page and its subpages.See Part of an Example Stitch Animation
The first offering is based on the gloves worn in the Stuart Era. The Floral Glove Needlecase is an exploration in different gilt 'pipes and purls'. A large selection of metal threads is used with filament silk to provide a rich texture on the gauntlet design. Since many of us don't need gloves like this at the moment, the glove shape is used to provide an etui for your needlework tools. Flat on the bottom, it sits near your work surface to hold tools inside. Visit the 
Stuart Gold Master Class. This is the result of a decade of researching and decoding the complex gold thread stitches of the 17th century. There are over 28 different stitches, most of which are not found in published stitch guides. We will use animations to explore the complex mechanics of these stitches as well as how the stitches were used in pieces of the period. 
