Gawthorpe Textiles Collection (GTC) is an internationally renowned collection of global textiles located in the heart of Pennine Lancashire, England.
Last week, I was honoured to be invited to a private tour of its new home at Northlight, Suite 26 Unit 2, Northlight House, Pendle Rd, Brierfield, Nelson BB9 5FF – a 15 minute drive from Gawthorpe Hall.
This post shares a flavour of what the collection has to offer and how you can access the beautiful embroidery for yourself.
“Founded by the Honourable Rachel Kay-Shuttleworth (1886-1967) the collection was amassed to educate, inspire creativity, support wellbeing and to preserve traditional craft skills by sharing knowledge, skills and expertise across cultures.” Gawthorpe Textiles Collection.
Northlight
Up until recently, the collection had been stored within Gawthorpe Hall, in a damp storage area that was starting to impact the condition of some of the pieces. After funding was secured a decision was made to move the entire collection to a new home within Northlight.
This new purpose built archive holds the collection of over 30,000 textile and craft items. Each item has been carefully wrapped in acid free tissue and then placed in a box, labelled and referenced with its contents.
Beryl Dean
Rachel Terry the Collections Officer gave me a guided tour of the boxes and explained some of the stories behind their contents.
I took a particular interest in a box labelled ‘Beryl Dean‘ and Rachel offered to get the box down for me. I naturally accepted and was in awe at it’s contents which included some tiny handstitched English Paper Piecing and an amazing artwork created in gold work and silk embroidery.
Rachel Kay-Shuttleworth
Other embroidery that interested me was work stitched by Rachel Kay-Shuttleworth herself. Another box was chosen from the shelves and opened.
After carefully unrolling its contents – a long piece of beautifully hand stitched crewel work embroidery – Rachel explained the story behind the work.
Whilst we chatted, Rachel mentioned a selection of pieces that I might be interested in. Pieces that had connections to the Kay-Shuttleworths.
On the far side of a wall covered in framed art was a hand painted artwork with links to the early years of the Girl Guiding Movement. Other frames contained patchwork and hand embroidery including two hand embroidered world maps documenting the travels of a family member.
My eye was drawn to three mysterious parcels wrapped in white fabric to protect them from dust and light. Each had decorated the tower walls at Gawthorpe Hall. I asked about them and Rachel offered to unwrap one for me. Inside was a very special piece by Rachel Kay-Shutleworth.
The work was mounted on a wooden frame and had the most beautiful, vibrant, red poppies hand embroidered in wool, in techniques that allowed the flowers and seed heads to sit proud of the foundation fabric.
After seeing all this beautiful embroidery, my mind was buzzing and I needed a hot cup of tea and a sit down.
Before leaving the archive I had a chance to pop into a beautifully lit room adjoining the archive. The space is used for hosting talks and workshops, and also has a small shop where I had to purchase a new mug for my sewing room.
Viewing the Gawthorpe Textiles Collection – Talks and Tours
I can heartily recommend planning your own visit to the the collection. Enquiries for group tours and individual study visits are available via this link.
If you would like the collection come to you, GTC offers in person and Zoom talks, and on-demand talks. For more information visit https://www.gawthorpetextiles.org.uk
Another way to see the beautiful collection is at a new exhibition opening in summer 2024 at Gawthorpe Hall.
Gawthorpe Hall, Burnley Road, Padiham, BB12 8UA; (for Sat Nav use BB12 8SD).
Other ways to view the collection
The collection is gradually being digitally photographed and documented. A large selection is available to view here on Tumblr.
GTC has designed a number of Loan Boxes to support creative learning in schools and adult learning classes. The boxes are full of inspiring textiles covering Patchwork, Plain Work Samplers plus boxes dedicated to Contemporary Stitch and Lace. Please enquire about availability.
Thank you for joining me on this tour of the fabulous Gawthorpe Textiles Collection.
I hope you are inspired and plan to make a trip of your own in the future.
