Description
The needlecase was inspired by the textile collection and life of Miss Rachel Kay-Shuttleworth, of Gawthorpe Hall (1886-1907). ‘Miss Rachel’, as she was affectionately known, was a force of nature, with a strong philanthropic bent, who took part in many charitable endeavours, especially those encouraging women and girls to fulfil their potential.
The needlecase forms the shape of an 18th Century ‘pocket’, of the type worn around the waist before they were inserted into the skirt itself, and incorporates motifs from some of the embroideries in Miss Rachel’s collection.
The background is worked on natural linen, inspired by the textile heritage of Lancashire. This is embroidered using counted satin and pulled work stitches. The central silver fish uses darning into net, as a link to Miss Rachel’s love of lacemaking. Areas of needle painting and satin stitch in silk perle combine with delicate surface stitches and are contrasted by pleated metal threads over highly raised padding.
Other techniques include silk ribbon and bound rayon tape, with beads and spangles, and densely worked concentric rows of split stitch, used here to create leaf motifs inspired by her famous crewel work bedspread.
The piece has a wooden base and raised sides to give structure and stability, and the lid lifts off to reveal a tiny needlecase and a space for a thread waxer. This is not included in the kit, but may be ordered. The needlecase and box lining are worked in traditional wool baize, woven in the UK.
A donation of £10 from every kit sold is given to support the ongoing work of the Gawthorpe Textile Collection, preserving Miss Rachel’s fabulous collection and continuing her legacy in promoting the many benefits of practicing embroidery.
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.
Jill McIntyre –
It’s amazing that you manage to pack so many techniques into such a small yet practical project. I enjoyed both the stitching and the construction. It brings many admiring glances when I take it with me to classes – everyone loves the colours, the design and the wonderful back story to the needlecase.
Jenny-Adin-Christie –
Hello Jill
Thank you so much for taking the time to leave such lovely feedback, it is very much appreciated! xx
Karen Wright –
Thanks Jenny for another fabulous kit . I just finished this while in isolation . A well labeled kit with easy to follow instructions, I have loved working on this – thanks Jenny
Jenny-Adin-Christie –
Hello Karen
Thank you so much for taking the time to leave such lovely feedback, it is very much appreciated! xx
Jane Briscoe –
Finished my Gawthorpe Needlecase! This was one of the most complete/well labeled kits that I have ever seen. It was a super fun project with a wide variety of different fibers and stitches and awesome instructions. The way the instructions were written and the kit assembled, it was almost like many small projects that all came together in the end. Lots of milestones along the way and not overwhelming. I even found a little MOP fish to go inside to coordinate with the fish motif. I love that Jenny explained the significance of the different motifs and stitches and why she included them in this project. Of course this really makes me want to visit Gawthorpe Hall.
Jenny-Adin-Christie –
Hello Jane
Thank you so much for taking the time to write such lovely feedback. It is very much appreciated! You must pay a visit to Gawthorpe when you can….it is superb!
Kindest wishes
Jenny xx
Carol-Anne Conway –
Dear Jenny,
I have just completed my Gawthorpe Needlecase and I am delighted with it. From the moment I opened the box and saw all of the gorgeous threads and notions, I was itching to stitch. Your instructions are so clear and concise and I found the tricks and tips very useful, even for techniques I was already familiar with. I’ve learnt new stitches and techniques and different was to use ones I already knew, and I’ve used materials that I have not seen before.
I was uncertain that I would be able to transform my completed embroidery into something that resembled your needle case but you make even that eminently doable.
I just love your creativeness and cannot wait to work on another of your beautiful designs.
Jenny-Adin-Christie –
Thank you so much for taking the time to leave feedback Carol-Anne. It is very much appreciated xx
Catherine Elcoat –
Hi Jenny
I have just completed my Gawthorpe needle case. What a pleasure I was to stitch. I love the design. The kit and the instructions were fantastic. I am absolutely delighted with the results. It was a real joy in theses strange times we all face in lock down. Stay safe.
Jenny-Adin-Christie –
Thank you so much for taking the time to leave such lovely feedback Catherine! xx
Katie –
This is a beautiful and enjoyable project. I finally decided to try one of Jenny’s kits after hearing from others about how creative and inventive her designs are. Having completed it, I completely agree. I’m truly impressed by how much variety in technique and materials that she managed to pack into a relatively small design area. It’s a lovely piece and my pile of needles are thrilled to finally have a proper home!
Jenny-Adin-Christie –
Thank you so much for taking the time to write such lovely feedback Katie x
Lynette Hale (verified owner) –
Dear Jenny, I have just put the last few stitches into the Gawthorpe Needlecase! It was such a pleasure to use the quality products which arrived in pristine condition all the way across the world to little old NZ!
Your instruction book was to die for – nothing left out , & so easy to follow! I must admit that when I first opened the box & looked at the book of instructions, I was a bit perturbed wondering if I had bitten off more than I could chew! But not so!
I enjoyed every moment of it!
Your kits are out of this world & I have so much enjoyed showing off my efforts to the “girls” at our local guild.
I am Past President of the Canterbury Embroiderers’ Guild, having been in it for 31 years! I will be 82 this year but embroidery has kept me “young” since I first started doing it when I was 6 years old at my Grandmother’s knee! Long live embroidery!
Your work is absolutely amazing! Love it all!
Catherine Punter –
I have completed the needle case after beginning it with Jenny at the Bath Textile Summer School. It’s been a joy to work. I wondered how I would manage once I left the wonderful informative workshop but the very clear instructions laid any doubts to rest. The variety of techniques and threads make this project very interesting .
Thanks Jenny