Day 10: Embroidery Retreat Day 7

This morning the daffodils were fully out and the sun shone on a still landscape.

















Today was full-on embroidery in our second project. We were all pretty keen. We began by finishing our 12 shadow leaves. This photograph was taken with a navy cloth on my lap to give a background to the transparent fabric.







We then worked the centre of the rose (already appliqued in silk) with silk wrap plate.

Our space was light, sunny and very conducive to work and companionable interaction.









By 5.15 pm I and most of my companions had edged and partially beaded the rose, worked a little quince with an eyelet and highlighted satin stitch in silk and added a couple of leather leaves.

Tomorrow is our final day. We have a way to go, but are well positioned to cover all the remaining elements.



















As 6 pm approached, Philipps rounded us all up to have a play with crewel embroidery. She had laid out a wonderful pile of wools, some hoops with a design and fabric in them, and a selection of samples. We had to choose three shades of one colour and a colour we would never think of using.

Philippa was obviously suffering from teaching deprivation. Her energy and enthusiasm was infectious - and the treasure trove of wools and resources were so enticing that by 6.15 we were all sitting down playing with our fabric, experimenting and comparing ideas.

It was enormous fun, energising and uplifting.









We are beginning to talk of what we are doing when we leave on Saturday. There is also a bit of a push to finish the jigsaw puzzle. The hum of conversation is extraordinarily relaxed, warm and underpinned with laughter.

England Day 9: Embroidery Retreat Day 6

This morning the daffodils had buds that were beginning to open. It is chilly, but the day was largely clear.
















As we began breakfast two deer came to graze.















In the morning we had a session with Auburn Claire Lucas, a student of the Royal School of Needlework who has been sponsored by The Crewel Work Company.  Auburn taught us  an Elizabethan Sweet Pea.








The sweet pea itself was done in a corded buttonhole - green thread over gold passing thread. It is a lovely technique and Auburn gave very clear and precise instructions. I really liked the stitch and the effect. I have an idea to use it on my next Dijanne Cevaal dragon.













The Elizabethan plaited braid stitch was much harder - though beautiful. I got into the swing of what I thought was it, but in fact I had not quite got it right. Nevertheless, I'm happy with the effect and I look forward to putting the piece together.

I'm really pleased to have had the chance to learn with an  embroiderer of the future. It is important for all of us that we support the future of our craft and mentor young embroiderers.






While we were working with Auburn, the hotel changed the flower arrangement in the lounge. Spring is evident.























In the afternoon we swapped tutors to begin our second project. My group is now working with Jenny Adin-Christie on a lovely roundell based on work at Blackwell, where we were yesterday.

It was a lovely sunny space this afternoon - so sunny that for some of the time I worked with my back to the window!





We were a very relaxed group and Jenny paced our work well.

We began with shadow work, which I love and moved on to prepare an appliqued gold insert.

As I am writing this, well into the evening, some of my fellow stitchers are still working on this, advancing their projects. I will need to get up early tomorrow to catch up !

England Day 7:Embroidery Retreat Day Four

It was such a misty moisty morning that I thought I should be out looking for an old man clothed all in leather.

Instead I went to my class, where we worked hard learning the last few stitches we need to complete our Mountmellick cushion. We worked Palestrina knots and a braiding stitch along the edge of our project as a practice. They will be worked in situ when we have put in most of the other stitches. These are both stitches I have learned at our Guild, but I will still need a bit of a reminder and practice before I add them to the piece.

By mid-morning the mist was lifting and the landscape emerged sharp and clear.

We spent our last session with Nicola going through the steps to finish the project and learning Mountmellick stitch. The project doesn't use this stitch, but Nicola figured we should know how to do it.

This is where I finished up at the end of the session. There's a way to go but it's significant progress and I can see myself finishing it.

After lunch a small group of us went into Windermere for a bit of an explore. It's a very attractive town - especially on a clear day. It has attractive stone buildings in a pleasantly curving street.

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I find the chimney's and rooflines really attractive.

There's a Methodist chapel and some lovely nooks and lanes.

There are two butchers. One has an extensive display of local meet. The other has a window full of prizes he has won for his meat. I'm not sure which one I'd buy from!

There were several men up ladders, washing fittings and windows or painting them - the tourist season must be approaching.

When we got back to the Ryebeck Hotel, Philippa had organised a display of some of her collection of antique embroideries and reproductions. They are all interesting and remarkable pieces, including a bedspread, a petticoat, a box, sweet bags and a waistcoat.


We then went out to the Boar's Head Inn for dinner. The food was good. I had pheasant. The company was even better.We talked and laughed, ate and drank.

Back at the Ryebeck there are pockets of conversation, a bit of jigsaw puzzle, someone stitching, a few gone to bed and three of us taking advantage of the lounge room wifi.

Contentment. I'm counting my blessings.

Day 5: Stitching Retreat Day Two.

This morning I woke to find an elegant visitor walking around just outside my room. So charming.




















The day began fairly grey, although clear.  The setting is attractive even without sunshine.

Today was an intense stitching so after breakfast (OK, I admit it - the full breakfast won again) we were soon settling back into our groups.  Today, my group, working with Nicola Jarvis, was well into it. We work at different paces but were all progressing.  We are also trying out various different lights and magnifiers.

I am making visible progress today. My satin stitch improved. It was lovely working in different thicknesses of thread and changing stitches within a small area. I got into a rhythm.

Nicola has a wonderful finished version of our project which we are able to examine and also photograph. This is a photograph of this part of Nicola's finished piece. 

Late in the morning, this sun came out. The landscape brightened. We rushed outside to take photographs and feel the sun on our skin.

The sun also revealed the snow on the mountain top.

We stopped for lunch - but not for very long. We were all keen to stay in the swing of our stitching.

We learn so much from each other, just sharing the mistakes we make, the angle of our frames. I love the way we find so much in common - and areas of difference. We laugh, identify, draw boundaries, share anecdotes and experiences. Our experiences as women are so common - and support our differences.

Although we all work at different paces and have different strengths, we all gain from working with an experienced, good teacher. We hang out for tips and the opportunity to ask questions and improve technique. We all understand the privilege of being able to learn in a face to face setting.

I'm planning on a little more stitching this evening, but I'm pleased with where I have come today.