Stitching retreat at Coombe Abbey

[Mabel Figworthy]

First impressions of the Opus Anglicanum (medieval embroidery) retreat at Coombe Abbey - loved it! And fortunately the hand behaved reasonably well; I wasn't quite up to the speed of the others, but am not unhappy with my progress.
Today was definitely Split Stitch Day! Tomorrow underside couching and gems & pearls - Bling Day

[richardandtracy]

Just speechless.
Recreating some of the best needlework ever. And it's possible without a lifetime of training.

"!!!!!!!" is the limit of my coherent response.

I am now green all over.

Regards,

Richard.

[vanessanjf]

I love Coombe Abbey I am going there in September for a week and of course my stitching will be coming with me. Such a beautiful peaceful place

[Podolyanka]

I am also greatly impressed with what you are doing, Mabel. Must admit the place is up to the mission. I am not green, because one has to be an artist to do the job and it is a hard work. Happy gold stitching!

[Mabel Figworthy]

Recreating some of the best needlework ever.

Opus Anglicanum or English work was the envy of the world, and popes clamoured for their vestments - learning to do a bit of it is great!

And it's possible without a lifetime of training.

As with so many things in embroidery, the basics are easy - it's getting proficient in them that takes time! The apprenticeship for this sort of work was seven years, and yet at heart it is knowing how to use split stitch, and couching . But getting your split stitch even, and learning how to create the shading effects while using only one shade of silk, that was the art.

[Serinde]

Mabel, I'm so pleased that the course is proving to be all that you'd hoped for. Thanks for keeping us in the loop with a photographic record. It's so inspiring!

@ Richard I am an unbecoming shade of green, too, and wish that there were courses like this up here, as it's the travel and accommodation that tips it over the economic edge. Well, guess there's nothing for it: save up like mad or win the lottery!

[richardandtracy]

We are spoilt these days. 450+ colours in a range, thousands of possible blends and computer programs available to simplify the shading choices. No compulsion to think about the best use of a limited range of colours either. Makes one lazy, I suppose.

Hmm. Coventry. Currently designing a container that'll be made in Coventry. I wonder if there are more courses...

Regards,

Richard.

[wendywombat]

What a fantastic course! Pleased for you that your hand is healed enough to stitch.

Fantastic pictures and your stitching looks Very Expertly stitched to me! (but how can a Wombat judge?

[rcperryls]

Mabel, I'm so pleased that the course is proving to be all that you'd hoped for. Thanks for keeping us in the loop with a photographic record. It's so inspiring!

@ Richard I am an unbecoming shade of green, too, and wish that there were courses like this up here, as it's the travel and accommodation that tips it over the economic edge. Well, guess there's nothing for it: save up like mad or win the lottery!

Absolutely agree!!! and I am also unashamedly green with envy too!

Carole

[Squirrel]

What an amazing place to be in Mabel, the setting alone would be of help me thinks. Thank you so much for sharing it with us. We 'downunder' can only dream of such places as either country are only very `young' in years of settlement. If my memory is right the first missionaries to NZ arrived in 1840 !!!!

[Mabel Figworthy]

Second day was great fun, we had a go at underside couching and adding Big Bling - the gems were glass (which they would have been on some of the originals as well, only the very finest had real gems) but the pearls were proper freshwater pearls, very luxurious!

Now giving the hand and wrist some rest, but when I'm back on form I'll definitely finish this.

Here is an impression of the venue (check out that loo!) and my progress so far. By the way, none of us (including the tutors) could decide whether this was a king or a queen - what do you think?

[Serinde]

What a place. did you get a chance to walk around the gardens?

(King. Short hair and nothing to hold back a woman's hair or veil or anything. Defo male.)

[Garnet]

Definitely a king I was thinking there's no Wimple.

Oh what a place to be though, just to sit in those grounds, or be treated to someone else doing the cooking, let alone learned Opus Angelicanum (sp?)

*sigh*

I swear I'm not green (- Ok I have my fingers crossed behind my back)

[Mabel Figworthy]

Good points ladies - a king it is!
Yes, we did have some time to explore the nearer parts of the garden, around lunch time, which was a good thing as you can get too concentrated; breaks are definitely a necessity, both for the eyes and the general muscles.

[vanessanjf]

Such beautiful work Mabel and now I can’t wait to get back to Coombe Abbey. I have stayed there about 10 times now. It truly is a wonderful place. Only a couple more weeks and I will be there

[richardandtracy]

There is just a chance, Mable, that your course may have cost me £155.

While browsing for similar courses in Kent I looked at the Kent Adult Education website and a jewellery making course leapt out at me. The course concentrates on exactly the skills I need for making pen furniture (silver casting, ring making and engraving). 10 weeks from September, 1 evening a week. It's only in Maidstone (7-10 miles from home, and straight down the road past our house). I am sorely tempted... I am also feeling poor from the thought of spending the money even before doing so.

Regards,

Richard.

[Serinde]

Richard. Be reasonable. That course leapt out at you for a reason; it's handily situated down your road for a reason. It's an investment which will repay itself in future sales of glorious pens. Come on now.

[Mabel Figworthy]

I call it serendipity - that course was obviously meant for you! (And £155, though a lot of money, sounds quite reasonable for ten classes)

[richardandtracy]

It does sound reasonable, it sounds like a good one, and you're not helping me find the reasons I need not to go on it.

Regards,

Richard

[Squirrel]

Mabel I think - looking at this picture of the person that it is a Queen. However looking at the one on your other thread I thought it was a King. Perhaps a little of both?


What a fabulous toilet it is too - very elegant.