Swaddling is an age-old practice of wrapping infants in blankets or similar cloth so that movement of the limbs is tightly restricted.Swaddling bands were often used to further restrict the infant. Swaddling fell out of favor in the seventeenth century.
This piece is taking shape over in Simply stitch 4, sampling, creating cloth from scraps of lace, using historical reference to inform my process, keeping past research at the front of my mind before making any decision regarding my swaddling band. I first investigated the practice of swaddling years ago, at Uni. I haven't forgotten any of it, it was actually quite barbaric. It doesn't compare in any way to the gentle wrapping of infants which is practiced now although the origins of current methods are firmly embedded in past practice.
Sampling and ledger work is ongoing, the actual band is taking shape, (5th image). I am creating the foundation cloth myself from scraps of lace and silk. I am adding text and stitch. It's growing.....
We will be creating similar cloth to this in my new class, Lace, paper, cloth and stitch....similar cloth to this and more....