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The Gawthorpe Needlecase Embroidery Kit

£240.00
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Our kits are in demand and take many hours to make. We make in small batches and keep a waiting list for each kit. To join the list, please complete the 'Email me when available' below. We will then email you with a link to purchase when the next batch of kits is ready. 

If you require a kit urgently, please CONTACT ME and we will do our best to help. 

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.

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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.

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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

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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.

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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.

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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.

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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!

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Lynette Hale

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!

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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