Goldwork Embroidery Workshop

Join us for an afternoon of goldwork embroidery with local needlework expert, Clare Clensy. Dating back over 1000 years, with its roots in religious and royal embroidery, goldwork uses a wide variety of metal threads that can be combined with other techniques such as silk shading to produce sumptuous effects. The afternoon will be focused on creating a goldwork paisley, worked on to a silk dupion background. As with most goldwork, we will start the day with stitching down the layers of felt padding that goes underneath the gold to give the design its shape. There are four different types of gold used for this design, the session will cover each of the ways in which these are stitched down, from couching the gold jap to snipping and stitching down the tiny gold chips for the sparkly centre. The design is then finished off with a luxurious Rococo edging. The class is suitable for beginners as well as experienced stitchers, please do remember to bring glasses if you need them. Guests will need to bring the following items with them on the day: Small sharp embroidery scissors Small old scissors (for cutting the gold) Pins Tacking cotton (any colour) Pencil 8 inch ring frame (optional) – Clare will bring a supply of these on the day that students will be available to borrow or purchase. About Clare Clensy Clare Clensy trained as an apprentice for three years at the Royal School of Needlework, Hampton Court Palace. On completing her apprenticeship Clare established her own business, ‘Vine Embroidery’, which is now in its 16th year and takes on a mixture of restoration work and new commissions. Clare also teaches, gives lectures and local talks, produces her own range of embroidery kits and is the author of ‘A beginners guide to Silk Shading’ published by Search Press. Tickets are £90 per person and include lunch at the Roth Bar & Grill