Distributed Proofreaders just posted their 10,000th title to Project Gutenberg! This one is of interest here (RCTN) because it just happened to be Therese de Dillmont's "Encyclopedia of Needlework" in English. The text will be available tomorrow at Project Gutenberg at the following address:
I'm a little surprised that Gutenberg has that title. Yes, it's certainly old enough to be public domain, but, on the other hand, it's still selling.
One amusing thing I found in there, that really illustrates the changing of the times is that the book recommends that you keep a small jar of asbestos at your work table to dip your fingers into - to keep your needles from being damaged by bodily oils.
They also recommend that to tell if you have purchased a good needle you should bend it until it breaks and how it breaks determines the quality -- but, but, what good is a great needle if I just broke it?
Yup. It takes about 24 hours for the link to activate. It should work tomorrow morning.
This is fun to look at. thanks for the link.
Not to be too pedantic but the book actually recommends "stone alum" (a sulphate) which is not the same as asbestos (magnesium silicate)... Alum is used as an underarm deodorant....
Allison
Have something to add? Share your thoughts — no account required.
Ask the community — no account required