Description
This is a design very close to my heart since I viewed this building every day on my way to work for over 10 years, so I know its intricacies very well indeed! The panel is inspired by the narrative scenes of 17th century raised work which invariably included images of contemporary buildings, with plants, flowers, and gardens, and often with a giant fish leaping from a formal pond! I love these whimsical scenes which seem to come straight from a child’s story book. Hampton Court certainly has many a fascinating to tale to tell and makes a superb subject for stitch!
The piece is designed as a sampler to teach a broad range of raised embroidery stitch techniques which are excellent for depicting formal buildings and gardens. Many are taken from 17th century embroidery but are juxtaposed next to those of my own invention.
The building itself combines Queen Stitch, used to depict the diamond brick patterns commonly seen in this period of building, with burden stitch, needlelace over felt padding and raised stem stitch, further embellished with tubular metallic purls and a tiny hand cut wooden door!
The pond is worked by colouring the ground fabric using pencil crayons before overlaying with metallic organza and adding thefish using spangles and a wired 3D tail. The gardens combine use of metallic mesh ribbons, silk chenille and couched silk gimps and silk wrapped purls (made specially for Jenny), worked over padding to create a sense of depth.
The border includes the quote: ‘Isn’t it true, what small can do, with a thread, a thought & a stitch or 2?’ which is taken from the folk song ‘A Stitch in Time’ by Mike Waterson. It speaks of a horrid husband who is very mean to his wife and yet gets his comeuppance when, rather inebriated, he falls deeply asleep and his wife strikes upon the notion to sew him to the bed with blanket stitch! He awakes to find her ready with the frying pan to teach him a good lesson!
On completion, you may like to purchase a wooden casket made specially with an oval aperture in the lid to house the project and including internal lift out tray and hand-made lock and key.
Alternatively, you may purchase a frame to fit the finished design with an oval window mount.
KIT FAQs
FREQUENTLY ASKED QUESTIONS
WHAT DOES MY KIT INCLUDE?
Your kit includes all the fabric, threads and needles required to complete the design, together with a highly comprehensive illustrated instruction manual, written and drawn by Jenny. All threads are carefully packaged and labelled to denote where they are to be used in the design. We suggest you have a look through all the components to familiarise yourself with the complete kit before starting work. Where relevant, kits also include the materials required to construct the completed embroidery.
WILL I NEED ANYTHING ELSE TO ENABLE ME TO COMPLETE MY KIT?
Yes, but only basic embroidery equipment. A list of the items required can be found in the front of your instruction manual. All items can be purchased from our website. If you have any queries about equipment, please feel free to contact us for advice.
HOW MUCH EXPERIENCE DO I NEED TO BE ABLE TO COMPLETE THE KIT?
Most of our kits are designed for embroiderers with some experience, but the instruction manuals are extremely comprehensive and will teach you all you need to know.
If you have any difficulties, or need advice on the difficulty level of a certain kit, you are welcome to contact us.
I FIND TRANSFERRING DESIGNS ON TO FABRIC DIFFICULT
Don’t worry, the designs are all pre-printed for you!
CAN I POST IMAGES OF MY KIT/WORK ON MY BLOG/SOCIAL MEDIA/WEBSITE?
We will be delighted if you wish to show images of this project on your blog/social media/website, as this often inspires others to have a go! However, as a courtesy, please do let me know if you plan to do this, and be aware that blogging of techniques, step-by-step or close-up images, either of the project in progress, the instructions, and the kit contents, is an infringement of copyright. Please always credit the design source and always include Jenny’s website and contact details so that those reading your blog can get in touch. Please highlight any infringements of this copyright which you observe from others.
I AM STRUGGLING WITH A SECTION OF THE DESIGN
One of the most important aspects of buying a kit from us is that you have direct contact to Jenny by email and she will be happy to assist you and provide advice. We cannot always answer within the hour but we will get back to you as soon as possible. If you are really struggling and need more help, we can arrange a lesson for you or to complete the section for you.
I AM MISSING A COMPONENT IN MY KIT OR HAVE RUN OUT OF A THREAD
We do our absolute best to ensure these situations don’t occur, but your kit is made by humans rather than machines and we do occasionally have a senior moment! Please feel free to let us know and we will be happy to supply more.
I AM NOT HAPPY WITH MY WORK AND WOULD LIKE TO RE-WORK
We totally understand this – most embroiderers incline to perfectionism! While we sadly can’t provide more materials for free, please just let us know what you require and we will be very happy to supply more.
MY DOG/HUSBAND/HOOVER/SOFA/CAT/GOLDFISH ATE MY THREAD!
It happens! Not a problem. Just let us know what you need
and whilst we can’t send these for free, we are more than
happy to supply more.
MY THREAD IS DIFFERENT TO THAT IN THE PHOTOGRAPH OF THE DESIGN
Thread colours may vary somewhat due to dyeing processes and can appear different in reality due to photographic distortion. Due to limitations posed by suppliers, we also reserve the right to substitute project materials with suitable alternatives to those illustrated if absolutely necessary.
HOW CAN I FIND OUT ABOUT NEW DESIGNS?
Please go to Jenny’s website where you can join the mailing list to find out about all new releases. We promise only to send you relevant embroidery-related news and not to pass your details to third parties.
CAN I SUBMIT MY WORK TO A CRAFT SHOW OR COMPETITION?
We are delighted if you have enjoyed working the project and would like to submit your piece to a craft/country show competition etc. Please do let Jenny know if you are doing this as she would love to hear how you get on. Please always credit the design source and always include Jenny’s website and contact details so that people viewing the piece can get in touch.
CAN I TEACH THE DESIGN TO OTHERS?
If you have enjoyed working the project yourself and would like to share this with friends or wish to work the design with your students, you are welcome to contact Jenny for more kits. The kit and accompanying instructions must otherwise not be copied, reproduced or taught in any form without prior permission. This will otherwise infringe copyright. Multiple kit orders are welcome and can be supplied on a wholesale basis by arrangement. Please contact Jenny for more details.
I WOULD LIKE HELP WITH THE CONSTRUCTION OR DISPLAY OF MY FINISHED WORK
Excellent news. We hope you have enjoyed the journey and are delighted with the finished result! If you would like help with mounting or finishing the design, please feel free to get in touch. If you would like to order a frame, box or similar for displaying the finished piece, please visit the webshop.
Wendy Holt –
Hampton Court – wow!! I have just completed this lovely project. The kit and its’ presentation are fabulous – beautifully put together, so I could just start stitching! The instructions were the best ever – very well organized, beautifully illustrated and so easy to follow. I enjoyed every stitch!
I would highly recommend this to anyone who wants to be quietly (and expertly) challenged to get out of their comfort box and work on something wonderful!
Jenny-Adin-Christie –
Hello Wendy
I am just delighted to hear how much you have enjoyed working the Hampton Court Sampler and how much you appreciated the kit structure. Thank you so much for takign the time to leave such lovely feedback!
Jenny xx
Sandra Jones –
I have just completed this exquisite Hampton Court sampler! It was such a pleasure to stitch. Guided by Jenny’s clear and detailed instructions, each section was a wonderful exploration of technique and design. I can thoroughly recommend it to lover’s of embroidery looking for something truly special to stitch and treasure.
Jenny-Adin-Christie –
Hello Sandra,
I am so glad that this design has brought you such pleasure and thank you so much for taking the time to leave this lovely feedback.
Jenny xx