Back to Heraldry A&S Main Page Back to Merouda.Com Tent Stitch Instructions Tent Stitch Defined with reference to period examples CYPHER: Not strictly heraldic, in that they don’t generally conform to the rules of tincture and so forth. A cypher is similar to a monogram, in that it features the initials of the individual or individuals in question. Richard II of England used a crowned R; Elizabeth II of the United Kingdom uses “EIIR” (Elizabeth II Regina). I have not yet designed a cypher, but the initials MP beneath a laurel wreath would be appropriate. The SCA does not regulate cyphers; the British College of Arms, however, does record the cyphers of their royalty. Other Sites, Supporting Documents Designs, Period Various period patterns for period needlework, including heraldic elements. Middle Kingdom Needlework Counted cross-stitch and machine embroidery patterns for all Kingdom arms, Middle kingdom baronies, badges of office, and all Middle Kingdom awards. I’m not fond of machine embroidery, and would use tent stitch rather than cross stitch, myself, but the patterns are there for you, no matter how you choose to interpret them. Atlantian Embroiderers' Guild: Awards and Badges. Patterns for Atlantia’s awards, nice blackwork borders for members of the Chivalry and the Laurel, populace badges for all kingdoms. This site also contains a set of instructions for embroidering napkins/covers/handkerchiefs with waste canvas here.	Heraldic Arts and Sciences: Beyond the Banner and Shield Part 5: Simple Embroidered Napkins or Covers Linens provide an easy way to increase heraldic display. Most any linen can be embellished with paint, embroidery, or appliqué, based upon the intended use of the linen. This project is a set of simple napkins; the napkins may also be used as covers for cups or jugs, plates of dry food (cookies, dried fruits, bread baskets), etcetera. There are many good sites that teach embroidery. This project features only the tent stitch, a stitch favored by Mary, Queen of Scots, celebrated amateur needlewoman. The design features the heraldic device embroidered into the lower right corner of the square and a border. A talented embroiderer could probably do these quite quickly, but even a rank beginner will find this an easy project. You will need: · Even weave cloth. I used aida. Linen would be more period. · Sewing needle and thread or sewing machine · embroidery needle · Embroidery floss in appropriate colors · Embroidery hoop (optional) · Wash-out pen. I use “Mark-B-Gone.” (optional. You could use pen and graph paper to create a counted chart, instead. The point is that you need to have a pattern to work from.) · Embroidery clips/ small scissors. Steps: · Cut cloth to size. My napkins are 12 ½ inches by 12 ½ inches. · Hem or stay stitch the cloth · Transfer design to cloth; I drew it directly on the cloth with the washable ink pen. More complex designs may need to be charted or done as freeform embroidery. · Thread the embroidery needle with embroidery floss and begin to embroider! · Finish with a simple embroidered border I am satisfied with the set as it stands, although it is pretty clearly the product of a beginner. The aida cloth is sturdy and the seeblatt a cheery heraldic badge. If I were to do this again—and I likely will, as napkins can do dual duty as cover cloths, favors, handkerchiefs, markers, gift wraps, dish cloths, and many more things—I would also make a set on linen with silk, a set trimmed with livery colors in addition to the household/personal badge, a set with a cypher, et cetera.
		The first attempt at the embroidered napkins/covers featured Persian wool in Aida cloth. The aida cloth itself had been previously been used in an experiment in natural dyeing. The four squares selected for the napkin set, originally tea or coffee dyed, had lost their color in the wash and were very near to white. I drew the seeblatt on with a wash-out pen and started to embroider with the red Persian wool. I had used the machine to put in white stay stitching before beginning embroidery to prevent fraying.
		I dislike making things that are not useable for practice, and this shot shows what a beginner I am at very precise embroidery like tent stitch. The aida cloth, its weave made close and flexible by multiple washings, was not a good ground for the single strand wool. It did not take long for me to make a big mess. I ended up pulling it all off and switching to cotton embroidery floss.
		The last, and best, of the embroidered seeblatts. I still have a lot of practicing to do. It’s a good piece of heraldry in use rather than on display, clearly identifiable as the badge of Sept Pendray. It seems fitting to me that practice pieces should be items that will be used.
		The whole set of four napkins/covers, seeblatts embroidered by hand and bordered by red machine embroidery. I had often considered attempting simple machine embroidery to emulate blackwork; my experience in bordering these napkins with machine embroidery suggests that it is not something I want to attempt. The feed dogs on my machine are not sufficiently reliable in their pull to do a good job of precision, decorative blackwork, and it might be better to just invest the time practicing hand embroidery rather than spending the same amount of time learning how to get good results from my machine.
		Another set of napkins, featuring the badge of House Redhair done in cross stitch and a machine embroidered border. These lovelies were made by a woman named Duana. Also, a single napkin featuring the populace badge of Northshield, in tent stitch, bordered with yellow grossgrain ribbon. I've not yet noticed any period napkins bordered strictly with ribbon, but there are plenty of late period handkerchiefs bordered with lace, so bordered napkins are reasonable SCA accessories.
		Flemish-made napkin circa 1500, featuring the arms of Henry VII of England. This elaborate damask example was woven; it is in the Victoria and Albert Museum, and is pictured in The Royal Arms: Its Graphic and Decorative Development by Charles Hasler, page 108. The Cloisters Apocalypse features a miniature of a priest covering a chalice with a cloth. When I think of Pennsic and other outdoor events, I think I really want to see covers on my pitchers! No flies, no wasps! Several late and gray period linens worth looking at in the V&A Access to Collections: Search for museum number T.99-1954, 288-1906, 484-1903 to see handkerchiefs embroidered and edged with lace. Search for museum number 499-1884 to see a woven band intended for application to table linens.