Not long ago I wrote about the new book The Feller Needlework Collection: Volume 1 published by Needleprint.You may read my review of the book here.
Needleprint is one of the embroidery blogs I read regularly. There are always interesting articles, information about auctions and exhibits and, occasionally, a surprise. Earlier this week, Needleprint announced a needlework competition,“Mirror to my Art”. The objective is to design and stitch a cover for a handheld mirror – the sort of mirror you might pop in a handbag. What a delightful idea for a competition. The ideas started flowing and I signed up immediately.
The competition is for all kinds of needle workers. The piece can be worked in cross stitch, temari, sashiko, quilting, knitting, crochet, stumpwork…..anything with a needle.
Naturally, I began to look for inspiration on the internet. I found a mirror (granted, larger than one I’d carry in my bag…) at the Metropolitan Museum of Art that’s beautiful.
Mirror with Jael and Barak, 1672
I found a table mirror from 1720 embroidered in silk from England on the Conor Fennessy auction site (already sold!)
But I could not find an image of an embroidered hand mirror. (Other than the one of the Mirror to my Art home page) So, this contest is a twist on an old idea. Long ago, mirrors were precious and handled carefully. Carrying a mirror around in a bag would have been considered foolish since it certainly had a high chance of being broken.Now we have better techniques for producing mirrors and our lives are less rough and tumble, so carrying a mirror is a less risky proposition. How lovely would it be to have an embroidered mirror in our purse, your backpack or even your pocket? A touch of old world, old fashioned elegance to enjoy briefly each time you used it.
The design process, including design notes, sketches and drawings will be judged together with the finished item. I’m inspired by this competition. The ideas are racing through my brain: mirror image, reflection, eyes as a mirror to the soul, images of Narcissus, through the looking glass, mirror mirror on the wall…
What about you? Does this take your fancy?
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