On Demand: THREAD TALKS: Phillipa Turnbull: An Introduction to Crewel Work
Overview
From its early beginnings, embroidered artefacts including clothing and bed furnishings, using the natural fibres of sheep wool and linen flax, have evolved using a wide variety of design and stitch combinations.
In this lecture Phillipa Turnbull will describe the development of crewelwork, the debt we owe to international trade, and the good fortune we have to be a repository of well-preserved artefacts in British castles, museums and private collections.
The evolution of crewelwork has paralleled that of more expensively produced textiles, and it continues to be in fashion with designers from many different disciplines.
Please note that this ticket is for a recording of the live event on 23 February. Tickets for the live event are available here. You will be emailed access details to the recording by 9 March. The recording is not downloadable but will be available for viewing until at least 9 April, 2026.
1660s Cushions
After a career spanning working in a child Guidance Unit as a psychiatric nurse, training event horses in Ireland, running a riding school in the Scilly Isles and then on her own farm, and with a life that had been exposed to all levels of British society, Phillipa Turnbull returned to her first love, that of embroidery with wool.
After selling a doormat design company and having her very own money to enable the production of the essential linen twill for historic crewel work, she started The Crewelwork Company in 1993. Now running as a family business, they employ four full and several part-time employees, both in Spain as well as their home base in the English Lake District.
1650 Altar Frontal
Queen Anne Face
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