Leeds in Bloom - Harewood Estate

It's snowing again in Leeds today, though it looks wet enough not to last. This piece of embroidery was hand and machine stitched on printed fabric by Janet Taylor and comes from a photograph taken on the Harewood Estate.







Needle weaving using a wire framework was the technique used to embroidery these leaves. Those above made by Margaret Foxcroft, and those below by Muriel Gabbitas

Leeds in Bloom - Brethericks

Kathleen Bretherick was Kate's local florist. She not only sponsored this piece on the panel but encouraged the Harewood Ladies to join in. Word of mouth was usually the most successful way to get people involved. It seems the business has now closed, so I quote below from the old website.

We are one of the longest established flower shops in Leeds, UK and celebrated 60 years in business in 2006. The business was started by Kath and Ron Bretherick and is now run by their daughter Sandra Moss and granddaughter Carla Moss. Sandra Moss is a Chief Examiner for Society of Floristry, which is the awarding body for the Floristry examinations at the highest level. She has taught floristry and still teaches flower arranging to individuals and groups. Bretherick's has been a member of Interflora since 1960 and has exhibited at the Chelsea Flower Show, London. We have decorated many venues for dinners where Royalty and High profile personalities have been present.

The piece was cross stitched by Kath and the staff at the shop.

We don't seem to have a detailed photograph of the tulips, and no note of who made them.

Sunflower by Margaret Foxcroft. She moved away from Leeds and sent a parcel of needleweaving treasures from time to time.

Sunflower by Gill Cook, cut fabric with french knots.

Ivy leaves machine stitched by Freda Copley.

Needleweaving ivy leaves by Shirley Shaw.

Leeds in Bloom - Harewood Arms

Kath Bretherick introduced a group of embroiderers from Harewood willing to stitch the Harewood Arms; Mrs Parnaby, Mrs Marshall, Mrs Armstrong, Mrs Hedley, Mrs Sutcliffe, Mrs Peel and Mrs Newby. They in turn suggested the Countess, as an experienced needlewoman, may be willing to get involved, which lead to her becoming a Patron of the Tapestry.

Ann Wheatley chartered the building for petit point (12 hours)

And many others were involved in embroidering flowers using various techniques to surround the piece.

Cross stitch flower border by Ruth Fowler and Lynne Ward

Primrose by Margaret Foxcroft (needleweaving)

Pink flower by unknown embroiderer (needleweaving)

Yellow flower by Shirley Gale (needleweaving)

Primroses by Margaret Foxcroft (needleweaving)

Leeds in Bloom

The panel celebrates the open spaces of Leeds seen throughout the year. Kirkstall Abbey in spring, The Queen's Hotel in summer, Roundhay Tropical House in autumn and Harewood in winter. Around each of the main pieces are leaves and flowers made using many different embroidery techniques.
Hilary Thurlow's needleweaving workshops were a great success. She showed many of the volunteers how to tack wire onto card in a leaf shape and then needleweave across the shape. These projects were so small that they could be carried in handbags and brought out at any time to do a bit more.
The one illustrated above was done by Joan Holah but quite often we don't have a name attached to the individual pieces. If you recognise yours please let me know.

An oak leaf with no name attached. I'll slip a few of these in on the blog from time to time.