I am going to go out on a limb here…
I don’t understand biscornu.
(And I don’t know what the plural for “biscornu” is, or maybe that is plural? If it is plural, what is the singular?)
Biscornu are everywhere these days, primarily as counted thread projects. But every time I see some of them, I think “but what is it? What do you do with it?”
I think they’re quite nifty, the way I assume they are constructed – I’ve never actually looked into how they are actually constructed, I just assume I understand the process. I figure they use two squares, where the points of one square are attached to the middle of the sides of the other square, and vice versa, leading to a clever zig-zag around the edge. Like the fingers of two hands interlocking from opposite sides.
So, those of you who make biscornu, what do you do with them? Are they just pretty dustcatchers?
If I think about them through the lens of William Morris’s famous quote, “Have nothing in your house that you do not know to be useful, or believe to be beautiful,” I can agree that some of them are beautiful. Maybe some have found uses for them, though I am not sure what.
I have things in my house that are just beautiful, and not useful. Most of the framed pictures on our walls do not qualify as useful – well all of them, actually. But I do consider them to be beautiful. But they are also practical in some ways. Because they are framed with glass, they have a certain level of longevity built into them.
The doilies I make in my Mountmellick classes etc, are not particularly useful, (though I think they are beautiful) but at least they are practical, in that if you do want to use them, they can be washed. And doilies do have a use, its just that most of us don’t bother with them these days.
I have other things in my house that are just beautiful and not useful, such as some pieces of furniture. And quite frankly, they are the things that my “reverse culture shock eyes” see as the first things that need to go in The Purge.
So I am just trying to understand the point of biscornu (or whatever the plural is). I can’t. Even if they are beautiful, surely they are dustcatchers. I guess you *might* be able to wash them, but perhaps that would be a bad idea, depending on the threads used to decorate them.
As a disclaimer, I am coming to this discussion with the growing view that Stuff for the sake of Stuff is anathema to me. I have a birthday coming in the next while, and it bothers me that I have to “dream up” suggestions for family who want to give me something. Really, I love the fact that they want to show me that they love me in that way, but it is just so unnecessary to give me something. We’re trying to empty our house of unnecessary Clutter and Stuff, so do I have to add more?
So it is with this in mind that I try to understand biscornu…
Please explain to me what the point is… I really want to understand!
White Threads is the blog of Yvette Stanton, the author, designer, publisher behind Vetty Creations' quality needlework books and embroidery products.
I made one biscornu as a Christmas ornament, and the other turned into a pincushion. Even though there are many others that I find to be quite lovely, I think I have made my limit. I, too, wouldn’t know what to do with more than I already have. That said, they are fun to make!
Shirley Crockett
Thanks Shirley. Yes, I reckon they would be pretty fun to make. The way they get their shape is clever, and I imagine that would appeal to me! Thanks for your input.
Hi Yvette!
I like biscornu(s) because they are little and quick to stitch up. I use them for experiments like learning/teaching a new technique. As they are small and cute, no one usually has a problem with believing that they can make one. I have two that I’ve kept for myself and I use them as pincushions and needle holders. I just blow off the dust, LOL! The rest I’ve given as gifts, again they are a quick but attractive little something to bring to someone that is handmade.
http://www.flickr.com/photos/41625822@N07/
This is my latest one, an experiment in Sardinian knotted stitch.
Once you start making them, it’s hard to stop… there are so many kinds out now, 15-sided ones, ones with the tops inverted, I saw one that was even more elaborately shaped but of course I can’t find it now! Email me if you’d like links, I tried to put them in but was told I was being a bit spammy! LOL!
…have I convinced you yet?
😀
Jeanine in Canada
Your biscornu shows a lovely technique – I am intrigued by Sardinian knotted stitch. You know me, I’m a new stitch junkie! But as for biscornu/s, I’m sorry I’m still not convinced. Love to see a 15 sided one though.
Well, I think they are cute and it is an easy way to put together an ornament or pincushion, but yes, how many does one need? And why are they such a “thing?”
As for the birthday issue, my husband and I have decided not to have gifts, maybe just something – one thing – for the winter holidays. We will go out for dinner, that sort of thing, but no more stuff. We’ve been married for thirty years, we don’t need any more stuff, LOL!
Now, what about all the stitching we do? My walls are covered – I paint as well – and there is a stack of at least a dozen items to be framed or made into pillows, pincushions, ornaments – whatever!!! Where does it end???
All that being said, I definitely will not be stopping my stitching. In fact, I have so much stitching to do, I likely will never die – because I made an oath that I will do it all! Every last piece!!! XO
Jeanine – very nice biscornu – and those berries – lovely. Long & short stitch – just love it.
My husband just reminded me that I designed and stitched a sampler for our 15th wedding anniversary – as I said, we are married 30 years – it is sitting in a drawer with other linens and doilies – unframed. But… I like it, maybe I’ll make a pillow – now pillows, one cannot have too many of those – the sofa, the chair, the bed… I think I just figured out what to do with all that unframed needlework!!!!
XO
Hi Elizabeth, No, I won’t be stopping stitching either. Its not that I need the stitched *things*, its that I need the creative process and the satisfaction of making things. I am driven to create.
I don’t know why biscornu/s are such a “thing”! That’s why I wanted to explore it with people who might be able to tell me! 🙂
Glad that commenting on my blog caused an ‘a-ha’ moment! ;D
I had the same question when I first encountered the word biscornu. As far as I can discern, it is a pincushion. The pattern that I have is backed with silk – so I won’t be washing it, if I ever complete it, that is 🙂
Oh, so they are *meant* to be pincushions?! There you go!
Here’s a link to an old post of Mary Corbet’s about biscornu. She did much more research than me!
http://www.needlenthread.com/2007/06/biscornu-needlework-oddity-thats-really.html
Victoria Sampler Yahoo Group has a contest of Biscornu’s
Thea Dueck provided a pattern with cross stitch, specialty stitches and hardaner.The groups member stitched their own colorways on their own fabrics – you can see the designs by going to Victoria Samplers Yahoo Group. The members can vote on which one they like best and the winner gets a Victoria Sampler Prize of their choiceand their colorways on her site under her free charts.She did seasonal charts. I have entered each constest and the spring biscornu contest is about to close now.
The Biscornu is quirky fun odd shape pin cushion. They can be useful as well as decorative. Ienjoy having them just sitting around in a pretty basket.
Creatively Yours
Veronica