Sue the Silkewoman

The Silkewoman at Medieval Needle: Sue is a demonstrator and practitioner of insanely time-consuming historic silkwork serving museums, historic sites and interested individuals. She loves teaching these ancient skills to anyone who is interested, as long as they have exceeded the ripe old age of seven! (Eight or more, is even better)

Silkewoman and Period Textiles display: Sue’s carefully researched, colourful display explains the journey of silk from worm and cocoon, through to finished luxury accessories made by medieval silk women, tailored to suit your event or venue. The techniques of tablet weaving, braiding, netting, embroidery et al are brought to life. Sue will be actively making, explaining, and engaging all ages with the story of how some women and girls rose above the ordinary during the Middle Ages. Have-a-go braiding, and netting can also be included as part of the display

Talks…and Q&A sessions tailored to suit your group. Titles vary from ‘Post-Black Death Girl-Power & The Silkwomen’ and ‘Dressing a Medieval Woman (or…’so what did they really wear underneath?’) to more textile-specific subjects. (And don’t worry as male clothing can be covered!) Talks are illustrated with hand-made objects, but time permitting, PowerPoint slides are an option if your venue has a suitable projector

Workshops and Lessons: Current Workshop venues: Sandwich Medieval Centre https://sandwichmedieval.org/ - dates published on their website and social media. Additional workshop venues are under discussion. Lessons by arrangement at Sue’s small home studio in Kent for one or two people

Making and Commissions: Textiles researched and created by Sue include hand-knotted silk mesh hairnets; narrow-ware including tablet-weaving and finger-loop braiding; tassels and buttons. She is also an experienced hand embroiderer who sometimes takes commissions for other decorative textiles; examples of which include bags, banners, standards, badges, cushions, and boxes. Each piece is based on accurate representation of surviving originals where possible, using appropriate techniques and materials with adaptations as new archaeological research is discovered.

'She seeketh wool and flax , and worketh willingly with her hands' (Proverbs 31:13)