The Big Reveal - and we're off!

 It was a little clearer this morning although still overcast. Windermere was visible.


The daffodils in the garden bed outside the room I occupied in 2017 showed their colours.

We had breakfast from 7.45 and gathered in the lounge for our first briefing at 9.00. There are, I think, 18 students.

Finally, after the preliminary information and introductions, Nicola and Jenny came in with the two projects we are to work on.

They are both extraordinary.

We were split into two groups. I am beginning in Nicola's group. Her project is a crewel work one based on Beatrix Potter's interest in and breeding of Herdwick sheep as well as her efforts in the ecology of the Lakes District, and the land that now forms the National Parks.T
Nicola's sample piece is larger than the version we are working on (meaning ours is manageable!)

Some of the sheep is worked in Herdwick wool, as well as Appleton's and some specialist threads.

The piece is named for Queenie, one of Beatrix Potter's actual sheep. Some of the design echoes ceramics found in Hill Top, her Cumbrian home.

Our classes this year are set up at either end of the dining room,  Jenny's  at the Southern end, shown here and Nicola's at the Northern end shown below.

Meals are set up in between.





We each have a floor lamp with magnifier as well as our 10" hoops.

It is a great set-up, giving us good light and a comfortable space in which to work.

We got started straight away, beginning with the sheep, and using the Herdwick wool to begin. I really love this kind of work. Nicola is an engaged, attentive, relaxed teacher. The group is also relaxed, not afraid to ask questions, considerate of each other are sharing of expertise.


We laughed a lot. I realised that one of the things I so enjoy about these retreats is the laughter. We have so much in common. It is our shared values and common interest that enable us to be so relaxed.

Towards the end of the afternoon it began to rain quite heavily and the we lost some of our natural light. The lights then really came into their own.

We had worked small parts of a number of sections of the sheep by the end of the afternoon. We are, naturally, working a little of each section to make sure we know what to do so we can finish the piece when we get home.

As a finisher I still find this a little frustrating, but I concede it is the only way to work.


At 6pm we gathered in the lounge where Richard interviewed Nicola and Jenny about their design process. It was a really, really interesting session. Both immerse themselves in the physical environment of their subject, as well as reading. There was discussion of the role of instinct or zen, of cultural and historical understanding, of knowledge of tone and colour, of recurring motif. Both spoke of habits of quick sketching, capturing the moment and impression rather than planned perfection.

It occurred to me that both Nicola and Jenny seem to be embedded in  English landscape and environment. It set me thinking. When asked, they both agreed they could only create, for example, a French design by immersion. This has set me thinking about Australian embroidery design, what it is, and the role played by heritage. I am still thinking about recent discussions I have had at the Embroiderers' Guild of SA about the now defunct British Embroidery Study Group, or about Moroccan Embroidery as studied by some Guild members on a recent trip. This is, for me, a really important discussion about identity, history and culture - important to my own embroidery and how I study it.

The discussion continued over what proved to be quite a long dinner. We  discussed the way composers draw on traditions outside their own country but still produce music recognisably of that country. We also discussed the importance of any visual work drawing the viewer in from a distance as well as engaging at close quarters.

It has been a terrific day for me. It is the first day of the retreat and we have surfaced issues of great importance and are discussing things that matter. I am among kindred spirits.

I don't underestimate the privilege - nor the power.