David's Wedding Horseshoe

Shared with Arachne members by David Collyer

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It wasn't till I'd been on arachne for a while that I realised the tradition
of the horseshoe associated with weddings is perhaps an Australian one. Is
it done in the UK?? For those of you then who have no idea what some of
these remarks are about, I shall tell the story as far as I know it from my
mother, who never failed to make a horseshoe for a bride.

The idea is that you make a horseshoe - however you want to really - and
then put quite a lengthy satin ribbon on it. While the bride is walking down
the aisle you slip it over her arm, thus bringing good fortune to the couple
for the rest of their days.
Unfortunately these days many folk simply buy their horseshoes ready made in
a very Kitch manner. I'm sure they don't bring half the luck that a lovingly
home-made one does!!

Here's how I made the one for Jana.

Initally I was going to cheat a little bit and bought a cardboard horseshoe
template from Spotlight. But I don't think those people have ever seen a
real horseshoe as it wasn't even the right shape!! Apart from that it was
far too big. So I drew my own on thin cardboard and cut it out.

I think it was a little under an inch (2.5cm) wide and the whole horsehsoe
would have measured about 3" by 4" (right Jana?). The hardest part is sewing
2 pieces of satin ribbon together (about 2 times as long as the horseshoe);
then turning them and sliding the resulting tube over the cardboard. The
ultimate aim is to get lots of gathering on the rounded part of the
horseshoe. When you've got it just right you may have to cut some of the
length of the tube off. Then finely top-sew the open end turning in a hem as
you go.

In order to keep the ribbon in place, you must do some embroidery right
through all thicknesses. I used that old 1930s rayon from Mum's workbasket
and made two rosebuds in bullion (grub) stitch [which as a boy I used to
call maggot faggot!!]

Then I used Guterman's silk and a very simple small ring and chain tatted
around the outside edge while on the inside edge where I wanted to keep more
open space, I just used the shuttle making a series of small rings with a
length of yarn only between them. These were then stitched finely onto the
edge of the horseshoe.
In the open space I first made a lovely medallion, copying as far as
possible one from the antique collar I'd loaned Jana. Then below that in the
narrower end I tatted a Capital "J" and "D" in copperplate handwriting and
intertwined them together. Lastly the long loop of satin for the "handle"
was stitched in place.
Voila!! One bride's horseshoe and I just know it will work. I can feel it in
my water!
Love
David Downunder