Tag: hand embroidery

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Manchester Tart

I feel very lucky to have had a childhood full of tasty home cooked food. This includes the dinners at primary school and a delicious pudding I remember the dinner ladies made with bananas, coconut and custard. My latest hand embroidered artwork is dedicated to this delicious desert which was one of my favourite school puddings ever – Manchester Tart.

Manchester Tart
Manchester Tart
Finishing the piece with a hand stitched edge.
Finishing the piece with a hand stitched edge.

Recipe for Manchester Tart 

A huge favourite in Lancashire. It’s delicious.

Although there are plenty of recipes available on the internet, this is how I remember it made.

  • Shortcrust pastry
  • Raspberry jam
  • Sliced bananas
  • Thick custard
  • Desiccated coconut 
  • Line a baking tray with pastry, bake blind and cool.
  • Spread with a layer of raspberry jam.
  • Add a layer of bananas.
  • Cover with an inch layer of custard.
  • Sprinkle with desiccated coconut.
  • Leave it to set for an hour and eat cold. 
Completed work
Completed work

“one of my favourite school puddings, dished up at primary school, the dinner ladies made it in really big metal trays, cut into squares, I liked it chilled, and the corner slices that had a nice pastry crust on them.”

Size 11 x 23cm, hand embroidered with vintage Sylko threads onto cotton cloth.

Reverse of Manchester Tart
Reverse of Manchester Tart

This piece is my latest addition to a body of work based on Lancashire food.

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Artist Interview with Aurifil Threads

I’m pleased to announce that a wonderful artist Interview with Aurifil threads has been published. The interview is part of Auribuzz and features a conversation about my involvement in the Unstitched Coif project curated by Toni Buckby.

The project is produced in collaboration with the Victoria and Albert Museum, London

The full interview is available to view by following this link.

Artist Interview with Aurifil Threads
Artist Interview with Aurifil Threads

Embroidery is such a timeless craft that intricately weaves stories of tradition and innovation. Today we are thrilled to share Catherine Hill’s remarkable journey with the Unstitched Coif Project. Catherine’s background is steeped in creativity, from her childhood fascination with stitching to her award-winning textile artwork. However, it was her involvement in the Coif Project, spearheaded by Toni Buckby, that truly ignited her passion for historical embroidery.

We had the opportunity to connect with Catherine and delve into her rich background in textile art, as well as her significant role in the Coif Project. We’re excited to share her insights and experiences with you, and we hope you find her story as captivating as we did.

Auribuzz
Extract - Artist Interview with Aurifil Threads
Extract – Artist Interview with Aurifil Threads

The coif panel was hand stitched in a rainbow of 12 weight Aurifil cotton threads.

A coloured bar of threads was stitched to the panel and a small hank of threads was also attached to the panel with a safety pin.

It was an honour to be part of the Coif project.

Full information about the project can be found on the Unstitched Coif project website https://blackworkembroidery.org/unstitched-coif-t-844-1974/

Thank you to Claire at Aurifil for creating this beautifully produced article.

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Edgelands Exhibition

I’m pleased to announce that Summer ’76  and Summer 2022 Part 1 & 2 have been selected by Prism Textiles for the Edgelands exhibition.

The exhibition takes place at The Art Pavilion, Mile End Park, London E3 4QY, 19 – 29 April 2024. Free entry.

I’ll be stewarding on the 29th April, so if you’re in London pop along and say ‘Hi!’

Summer '76 part of the Edgelands Exhibition
Summer ’76 part of the Edgelands Exhibition

In 2023 I was honoured to be accepted into Prism and this is the first year I’ll be exhibiting my work with them.

Summer 2022 Part 1
Summer 2022 Part 1
Summer 2022 Part 2 part of the Edgelands exhibition
Summer 2022 Part 2

Our international exhibiting group brings together a diverse group of selected textile artists showcasing high-quality fine art textile practice and craftsmanship from around the world. Exhibiting as a group since 1998, we currently have 70 artists participating within PRISM Textiles, working together to challenge the common misconceptions surrounding textiles as an art form.

Prism