Netting had its origins in prehistoric times with the invention of fishing nets, and later became one of the very earliest forms of lace. Its use was widespread as the base for filet lace. Many of today's filet lacemakers use machine-made net as the base for their work, but Margaret Morgan found herself challenged by the need for netting in sizes and colours that were not commercially available, and discovered the techniques hidden in old source material. In NETTED LACE, EXQUISITE PATTERNS & PRACTICAL TECHNIQUES she presents the simple equipment and techniques required to make your own netting, with detailed illustrated instructions for netting backgrounds in a variety of sizes and shapes, and numerous edgings. There are patterns for round, rectangular and oval table mats, table centres and doilies of netted lace, many of which can be embroidered in linen stitch. Margaret's experimentation has also led to patterns for attractive scarves and shawls made with heavier yarns and larger needles, using basic netting techniques, and for miniature items which could be used in a doll's house, made with very fine threads and smaller needles - more than forty patterns overall. Margaret hopes that this book will capture your imagination and that you too will enjoy experimenting with netting.

A celebration of the diverse world of American watercolors from the late nineteenth through the twentieth century, featuring works from the Harvard Art Museums’ collection Watercolor holds a special place in the history of American art. For generations of artists, the medium has provided a space for innovation and experimentation, allowing practitioners to let their imagination loose and to reflect on process and perception. Its rise to the status of fine art in the decades following the Civil War is well documented, yet its continued role as a testing ground and means of generating new ideas throughout the twentieth century has received comparatively less attention. This volume considers continuity and change in the American watercolor tradition over a century of production through the lens of the Harvard Art Museums’ collection. Works by well-known watercolorists such as Winslow Homer, John Singer Sargent, and James Abbott McNeill Whistler are included, as well as surprising additions from Zelda Fitzgerald, Alexander Calder, Claes Oldenburg, and many others. In the spirit of the medium, the authors take a fluid and open-ended approach to the topic, offering both personal and scholarly reflections that invite readers to ponder the influence of these works on their own experience of the world. In addition to contextual essays, there are close readings of singular works and examinations of the unique material characteristics of the watercolor medium. Distributed for the Harvard Art Museums Exhibition Schedule: Harvard Art Museums, Cambridge, MA (May 20–August 13, 2023)

The traditional art of Illumination - the creation of elaborate, decorated letters and initials - is now attracting new enthusiasts. It reached its apogee in the monasteries of medieval Europe and was practised with great skill and artistry. Embellished with gold leaf, the illuminated letters of those early scribes seemed to reflect light, as though they were indeed 'illuminated'. Illuminated Letters presents step-by-step instructions for recreating illuminated alphabets from six historical periods, including Celtic, Gothic and Romanesque. Diagrams for upper- and lower-case letters are accompanied by ideas for borders and decorations, and full instructions for gilding. Each section also explores ways in which the illuminated letters can be adapted to create a truly personal style, while a gallery of modern examples will inspire further creativity.