Jessica Aldred's website

Jessica Aldred, of the Royal School of Needlework, who has been such an enthusiastic backer of Stitch, has just launched her own website . Pictured: Jessica (far right) when women from Battersea, south London, paid a visit to the RSN collection and ateliers at Hampton Court Palace, this summer.

Jessica's birthday and the fish motif

The second embroidery class at York Gardens Library, Battersea, launching the second new motif inspired by work in Stitch Wandsworth. It's a fish - which is a powerful symbol in many cultures....
But most important it is Jessica's birthday. Jessica Aldred (above) from the Royal School of Needlework has been working on the project from the start and has thrown herself into it - and really supported the whole idea of bringing cultures together through embroidery. It's a year since we first met at the first focus group in Tooting.
More on discussions at the class, the background to the motif and on embroidery brought in by participants tomorrow... In the meantime Happy Birthday, Jessica.

Hampton Court visit

A fantastic visit to the Royal School of Needlework's collection at Hampton Court Palace. Jessica Aldred pulled out embroidery and hangings that she knew would be of interest. Blackwork (above.)
















Lunch afterwards on the grass despite the cold. Chicken curry cooked at 6am and kept warm in the thermal saucepan (centre).