Maile Fergusson
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 Maile Fergusson | ||||||||||
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Persona
Maile Fergusson born 1555 in Nether Kinmundy a small town in Aberdeenshire Scotland, to Robert and Molly Ferguson. She was third of six children one older brother and sister, two younger brothers and two younger sisters.
She was sent to be fostered with an Aunt Ede and Uncle William who lived in Aberdeen and though they liked her well and things went pleasant enough she was too independent a thinker for their liking as her Aunt tells it, mostly without overt sarcasm. As a result Maile was sent to the priory for her education. It’s interesting to note that not long after this her Aunt and Uncle remodeled the kitchen and expanded the flower bed.
There she showed some skill in embroidery and making of buttons and other Passamenterie as well as reading and writing. Aberdeen being a port town Maile picked up bits of several languages and stories from several cultures.
When she turned 17 she was sent to France by the Prioress to apprentice in the Button Makers Guilds to learn and expand her skills. From this income even after the fifth paid to the guild she was skilled enough to be able to send money back to the Convent.
As her skills grew she began instructing others and soon was called to teach these skills to tailors and lady’s maids in various households. This has led to travel through France, Italy and later Sweden. Eventually to return to Scotland to teach in the sewing schools for girls.
Classes Taught
- Thread Wrapped Buttons at Altavia Arts & Sciences class: 9/22/2014 & 9/29/2015
- Thread Wrapped Buttons at [Agincourt Tourney], 10/26/2014
Raffle Donations
- Two promissories for Thread Wrapped Buttons at Angels Anniversary, 9/13/2014
- Two promissories for Thread Wrapped Buttons at Angels Melee, 1/10/2015
- Two promissories for Thread Wrapped Buttons at Angels Anniversary & Investiture 2015, 09/12/2015
Artwork Gallery
Thread wrapped buttons made with dark purple and silver embroidery thread for Lady Muirgein ingen Ailella based on her Heraldic colors. The base color is woven around six base ribs to form six flat sections as well as the button shank. The silver thread was then drawn through the center and pulled tightly to highlight the shape of the button. Photo by Maile.
Part of a set of 12 thread wrapped buttons I donated as a personal gift at Caid's Crown tourney to HRM Bridget Lucia Mackenzie along with sets of three more but smaller buttons. Using the same technique as Lady Muirgein's buttons. Photo by Maile.
This is a set of thread wrapped buttons in progress. On the right you can see all six ribs as the button is being completed with the wood core bead inside. This weaving pattern goes under the ribs to highlight them, leaving them visible and providing a different texture. They can be left like that, or a second color can be added as in the completed button, as on the left with the blue added. Photo by Maile.
