Writing up the stories about the exhibition pieces. Chhaya Biswas embroidered an intricate design of daffodils (that she drew on the fabric with pencil.) She had not embroidered for years but was determined to finish a design that would have daunted far more experienced embroiderers. The daffodil, she said, was her favourite flower. She had studied Wordsworth's famous poem as a girl in Bangladesh but had never seen a daffodil. "They told us that they were yellow and swayed in the wind, but I had never seen one." As a young bride in Wandsworth, at the age of 18, she saw her first daffodils on Wandsworth Common and was enchanted.

Graduation ceremony at the Royal School of Needlework

Graduation ceremony at the Royal School of Needlework, Hampton Court Palace. Fabulous work on display.

Visit to the Quilting Show, Birmingham

Visit to the Quilting Show, Birmingham, run by exhibition organisers Twisted Thread, who have very kindly offered us space at the Knitting and Stitching Show in Alexandra Palace, a landmark event in the sewing and needlework calendar. Take photos of the space and the displays. A niche, very keen, audience.

Picking up the exhibition pieces

Picking up the exhibition pieces from Restart 50+. Ferdous Rahman with her piece inspired by a tile she saw on holiday in Istanbul. Amina aziz with her fabulous free-style flowers racing over the pencil border that she originally drew for herself, ignoring a second, embroidered, border and looping right to the edge of the fabric.

Plunging into the unknown in Tooting

Plunging into the unknown. Six weeks into the classes, we introduce 'exhibition packs' - square pieces of calico and a variety of silks, threads and fabrics chosen by Jessica of the Royal School of Needlework. She also photocopies pages of books from the RSN's library that might inspire and encourage.... People start to create their own designs. Ferdous Rahman is inspired by a photograph that she took on a recent holiday to Istanbul. Others draw their houses.
Several different tutors from the RSN worked on the project. Pictured is Sophie Long.

Goldwork classes at the Asian Women's Group

Royal School of Needlework tutor Owen Davies teaches goldwork at the Asian Women's Group. On the table - a cushion he embroidered while training at the Royal School of Needlework.

Fashioning Diasporas seminar at V&A Museum

No embroidery was on display - but I spoke about Patterns, Place and Heritage at a conference and mentioned Stitch Wandsworth. The conference - Fashioning Diasporas at the V&A - brought together a kaleidoscope of speakers on the subject of fabric, pattern and dress.
Thanks to the organisers (Fashioning Diasporas is an Arts and Humanities Research Council funded project run by the Royal Holloway in collaboration with the V&A) we were able to display some of the British Saris. Draped expertly by Ann Tailor and her daughter, Deepika.

Asian Women's Group visit the V&A

The Asian Women's Group visit the V&A. For many, it was their first visit. Again, curator Mor Thunder talks about 17th century printed patterns for embroidery.


































Lunch outside afterwards. Centre: Therese Rajadurai, Asian Community Librarian in Wandsworth.

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).

Restart 50+ visit the V and A Museum

Restart 50+ visits the V&A. Pictured here amidst Rodin sculptures.
Then up to a Study Room for a talk on 17th century English printed embroidery patterns by curator Mor Thunder.














Mor (left) talked about printed patterns for muslin.














She also showed the pattern above, pricked with pins along the pencil lines so that blue chalk could be sifted through to trace the outline. Many of the women in the group had been taught this technique at school.
Packed lunch (shared) in the new Sackler Centre.