sharing the love of needlework through shows, classes and seminars

Sue Blomley
Pilgrim Stitches

Sue was born in Epping, Essex, England and lived in Buckinghamshire and Leighton Buzzard before spending 2 ½ years in Rangoon, Burma while her husband was attached to the British Embassy there. She learned most of her needleart skills from her mother who was an avid and skillful needlewoman. Sue learned to knit when she was eight and continued with embroidery education. It wasn't until she started attending classes in America that her artistic talents were whetted. She became known as the "Pilgrim Stitcher" when she and her husband took a 500 mile walk to Santiago. Every evening she would stitch and that inspired her to produce the Pilgrim Etui and to organize needlework seminars in England. After one of her seminars at Hampshire Archives and Museum she was invited to reproduce a piece in their collection. Since that experience she has been hooked. Sue feels privileged to work with beautiful antiques and to recreate them with linen and silks.

 

 

Class #202
Two for the Price of One
CANCELLED

Teacher: Sue Blomley

Level: Beginner
Description: Exclusive Teaching Piece

Price: $135.00
Scheduled: Thursday, 10:00am-2:45pm

This is an exceptional opportunity to have two projects for the price of one. First, you will have the kit for the Jane Dennis sampler, dated 1817. It is yours to stitch as a small sampler and also includes enough materials and chart to stitch the front display for the Dong book. This Dong book is an ingenious Chinese project book and has five hidden compartments in which to conceal embroidery silks, needles, and tiny scissors or a favorite photograph. You will finish the Dong book in class and the embroidering of the display will take about two hours. A finished project and a sampler kit to take home - two for the price of one!

Kit includes: 40ct cream linen, Pearsall's silks, full instructions and stitch explanations. Please bring paper scissors or craft knife and cutting mat, large glue stick, and metal ruler.

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Class #300
"The Story of Cassandra Austen and her Sampler 1773 - 1845" Lecture

Teacher: Sue Blomley

Level: All
Description: Lecture

Price: $20.00
Scheduled: Friday, 9:00-10:00am

The Cassandra Austen sampler hangs in the Jane Austen House Museum because Cassandra was Jane Austen's older sister. Jane Austen has become a fascinating and favorite author and we enjoy the many movies of her novels. This lecture will paint a picture of the life and times of the sisters when this sampler was stitched. Join Sue to learn more about a time in history that will become a legend for TV and the movies.

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Class #303
The Cassandra Austen Sampler

Teacher: Sue Blomley

Level: Beginner
Description: Exclusive Teaching Piece

Price: $125.00
Scheduled: Friday, 10:00am-12:45pm

We are pleased to offer a wonderful opportunity to stitch the Cassandra Austen sampler, measuring 11.5" x 1" on mushroom 28ct fabric. It was stitched by literary giant Jane Austen's elder sister Cassandra and this sampler hangs in the Jane Austen House Museum. In beautiful colours ranging from beige and tan to blues and greens, it is an exciting sampler suitable for both beginners and experienced stitchers alike. Grateful thanks to the Jane Austen House and Museum for permission to reproduce this sampler. It is a must for all who treasure old samplers by famous people and anyone who treasures the work of Jane Austen. Be sure to sign up for the lecture exclusively about this sampler.

Kit includes: 28ct fabric, Pearsall's silks, charts and full instructions.

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Class #312
"The History of the Sarah Drafgate Sampler" Lecture

Teacher: Sue Blomley

Level: All
Description: Lecture

Price: $25.00
Scheduled: Friday, 3:00-4:00pm

The Sarah Drafgate sampler dated 1688 is the oldest sampler in the Hampshire Archives, located in Winchester, the ancient capital of England.

This gorgeous sample uses a variety of stitches, including Holbein, Algerian eye and Montenegrin, to name just a few. The colours are just beautiful, even today. The original measures 40cm x 15.5cm and is stitched on 28ct linen. The history of this sampler is filled with information - we know how many children she had, who her husband was and even what career one of her sons had. Set in a fascinating period of English history this lecture will not only inform you but enthrall you with details.

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Class #405
The Pilgrim Etui

Teacher: Sue Blomley

Level: All
Description: Exclusive Teaching Piece

Price: $210.00
Scheduled: Saturday, 12:00pm-3:45pm

The Pilgrim Etui is stitched on 35ct Edinbugh linen using Gloriana threads in blues, greens and gold. This is a lining for an antique sterling silver cigarette case which is provided for you. It has pockets for scissors and other related necessities. Sue has taught this class before and it has been sold out. We are offering it again because of the many requests and are thankful Sue has a renewed supply of antique silver cases.

Kit includes: Fabric, Variegated ribbon, Skirtex, Pellon, Wadding, Ultra Suede, padding, doctor's flannel, and random designs of antique cases, instructions and photos of work in progress.

Please bring paper scissors, scotch tape and normal stitching supplies.

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