Thanks go to Deborah (who came at short notice!) and gave us a fabulous talk on Palestinian costume and Bethlehem embroidery. It would be fair to say that most of us didn't know a whole lot about this area but we're much better informed now!
(Photos taken and reproduced with the permission of Deborah Mullins. Images are the property of Skipton Branch of The Embroiderers' Guild)
This piece is "Tears over Gaza"
Deborah took a three month trip with her husband to the Holy Land, staying near Bethlehem and with plenty of planned luggage space to bring back 'stuff' of the embroidery kind. She gave us a quick run through of the history of the area pre and post the creation of the state of Israel and the impact this has had on the area and the traditions regarding costume and embroidery. Palestinian embroidery traditionally features cross stitch whilst Bethlehem embroidery involves creating patterns from couching a continuous piece of thread and filling in with satin stitch.
We learnt about extravagant sleeves that you roll up and tie behind your neck; dresses that you can let in and out; pantaloons; fabrics and how they were joined as well as a run through of the beautiful panels of embroidery.
Deborah was awarded a City and Guilds gold medal and has an award from the Worshipful Guild of Haberdashers and it's easy to see why - check out her website here. Her current work involves analysing the border designs in the Bethlehem pieces she has researched on her travels and at the British Museum; she also creates her own take on the traditional by embroidering onto handmade felt. We're looking forward to having a go ourselves in a workshop with Deborah next year. Below is just a small flavour of Deborah's work and collection.
(Photos taken and reproduced with the permission of Deborah Mullins. Images are the property of Skipton Branch of The Embroiderers' Guild)
This piece is "Tears over Gaza"
Deborah took a three month trip with her husband to the Holy Land, staying near Bethlehem and with plenty of planned luggage space to bring back 'stuff' of the embroidery kind. She gave us a quick run through of the history of the area pre and post the creation of the state of Israel and the impact this has had on the area and the traditions regarding costume and embroidery. Palestinian embroidery traditionally features cross stitch whilst Bethlehem embroidery involves creating patterns from couching a continuous piece of thread and filling in with satin stitch.
We learnt about extravagant sleeves that you roll up and tie behind your neck; dresses that you can let in and out; pantaloons; fabrics and how they were joined as well as a run through of the beautiful panels of embroidery.
Deborah was awarded a City and Guilds gold medal and has an award from the Worshipful Guild of Haberdashers and it's easy to see why - check out her website here. Her current work involves analysing the border designs in the Bethlehem pieces she has researched on her travels and at the British Museum; she also creates her own take on the traditional by embroidering onto handmade felt. We're looking forward to having a go ourselves in a workshop with Deborah next year. Below is just a small flavour of Deborah's work and collection.
