Monday 21 October 2013

The World's Longest Embroidery

Saturday morning saw DH and I visiting our local museum to take a look at The World's Longest Embroidery and the Embroiderers' Guild travelling exhibition called Finest Stitches.  Our museum is comparatively small and was closed by the local council under a cost cutting exercise.  It has recently opened on a part time basis run by volunteers who have worked hard to gain full Arts Council accreditation.  The Embroiderers' Guild exhibition is really exciting for the town and I hope it gets lots of support.  

So, what can I show you of the exhibition?




I had a good look round the embroidery but havn't yet been able to find Emma's stitches.  I'm going to go back for another look and to add my own stitches.

Alongside the longest embroidery were pieces from Regional branches of the Embroiderers' guild and from their travelling exhibition.



The displays above are from Boston and Lincolnshire branches.
 

The items from the travelling exhibition range from the 18th century until the present date.  


Cas Holmes 'Bluebell' above. 


Chanting Cloth by Julia Caprara.
 
The White Tulips by Audrey Walker (detail).


I was surprised and delighted to find these works by Dionne Swift whose classes I have taken both online and in real life.

Mid 20th century hand embroidered with wool threads.


A selection of postcards made to welcome the athletes of the world to the 2012 Olympic Games in London.


This beautiful sampler is astonishing in the fineness of the stitches and the thread.  I could never work so precisely.

Finally, Grantham is the birthplace of Britain's first female Prime Minister, Margaret Thatcher.  This very striking painting painted towards the end of her life caught my eye.  Apparently Mrs Thatcher thought it looked a trifle fierce but the artist had an answer for her:


The painting is actually one of 5 studies painted by Lorna May Wadsworth in preparation for a much larger work.  She said she wanted to paint the portrait of the Margaret Thatcher of her childhood.

If you live near enough to Grantham come and see the exhibition and have a look at our beautiful parish church while you're here.  Don't forget to visit Stitchcraft Studio while you're here too.  The shop has nearly doubled in size since it opened and you'll be sure of a warm welcome.  They have a cafe and cake too!


12 comments:

Peneller said...

I have some stitches on the longest embroidery but I can't remember what they were. How wonderful to see it and so sorry I won't be able to go along. Perhaps it will come down this way sometime. See you Friday! xx

Wendy said...

I struggle to work out where you get the time to do so much, I have spent days working my way down that list, so much stuff!

Mrs Moog said...

What a wonderful exhibition and such a credit to the hard work of the volunteers who worked to put it on.

I hope the museum goes from strength to strength in their hands :)

xx

Heather said...

That's an amazing exhibition full of such a variety of work - definitely something for everyone, and I'm sure it will be a great success. The Longest piece is fascinating - I remember adding a stitch or two to an embroidery in Lyme Regis many years ago. The portrait of Lady Thatcher is wonderful.

Anonymous said...

Cas Holmes is always amazing and I love that chanting cloth. Cool collaborative embroidery,, how fun is that. xox

Lis Harwood said...

It all looks amazing, I must get there. Do you knw how long the exhibition is on?

Dionne Swift said...

Thanks for including me here...EG purchased some pieces last year: I was a tad excited!!
Best
Dionne x

Gina said...

Fabulous exhibition.

Anonymous said...

That looks like a fantastic exhibition. I'd love to see if my postcard was there too!! Little museums are vital for the community - I've been lucky enough to become involved in helping develop ours through my am dram connections and I really appreciate the role they play.

sharon young said...

Looks like an amazing exhibition, hope you got to add your stitch to the embroidery panels this time.
I loved the story of Maggie Thatcher's response to the painting, thanks for sharing that.

Maggi said...

I'm so glad that they decided to reopen the museum if it means they get to show work like this. Looking forward to coming over to see it for real.

Linda Vincent said...

What an exciting exhibition! That group embroidery is something else....wow!!!