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Phillipa Turnbull: Crewel Embroidery Specialist

49 min • 15 september 2020

Phillipa Turnbull is an expert on historic crewel embroidery and has spent the last 25 years building her embroidery business The Crewel Work Company, which sells exquisite crewel embroidery kits and organises luxury embroidery retreats.

Phillipa shares many inspiring stories around the ups and downs of building a business based around embroidery. She also shares her passion for ensuring that those of us who work in the creative arts and particularly embroidery and textile art are paid fairly for our creative endeavours. I think we are all with Phillipa on that one!

It was really interesting chatting with Phillipa about her business challenges and growth, and of course how she and her fabulous team have adapted their working practises so they can continue to send out crewel work kits throughout the coronavirus pandemic. In Phillipa's case, it truly DOES take a village to keep the business moving forward.

Susan Weeks chats with Phillipa in this episode of Stitchery Stories:

Giving back to the historic houses who inspire the crewelwork designs and kits
From doormats & livery stables to historic embroidery
Building long-term friendships over embroidery
Mother & daughter making a fabulous team with complimentary skills & personalities
Growing a sustainable embroidery business
Being passionate about 'paying people properly'
Developing a love for crewelwork from watercolour painting
The unique qualities of embroidering with wool
Crewel work is so calming
Using good posture with needlework
Fabulously simple advice for capturing your original perspective on your topic
Recreating the 1619 costume of Lady Anne Clifford
Crossing over into the world of historic re-enactors Harnessing skills in your team to grow and benefit everyone