As I made my way toward Winterthur for the two day needlework conference, With Cunning Needle...
It seemed that I was in for a very special two days.
The beauty of the rolling hills and landscape of the Delaware's Brandywine Valley was evident all around me.
Even the road into Winterthur, the 60-acre estate of woodlands and meadows housing an extraordinary museum complex, gardens and library...
Looked like a ribbon rolled out to beckon me to explore its richness further.
The conference was spread out over the estate with lots of opportunities for fresh air and fall foliage.
It was heaven.
What better place to have a two-day needlework conference.
And everything...from the bookstore that had stocked up in advance on all books and publications relating to textiles and the needle...
To the library which had selected rare books and manuscripts of particular interest to embroiderers...
To the luncheons and receptions...
Was perfectly targeted to the well-needled guest.
Winterthur's love for the needle arts was evident in every detail of the two days.
Including how they chose to display the Plimoth Jacket, the cornerstone of their With Cunning Needle exhibit.
I felt their delight in hosting over 250 interested attendees. Museum curators, costume technologists, collectors and, yes, needleworkers...all converged to listen to lectures and attend workshops exploring five centuries of the makers and materials used in the needle arts.
And the jacket!
Well. The way it was displayed was absolutely lovely.
Encased in a clear "box" so you could walk around in a full 360 degrees...
And not too big of a box so you could get up close and see the detail...
I tried not to press my nose to the glass but it was tough to resist.
And the jacket was lit perfectly so that the spangles and gold threads sparkled and shone...
The whole effect...the embroidery, the spangles, the gold threads, the lace...
Was extraordinary.
And so was the hospitality at Winterthur.
And if there was ever a place for a retirement community for needleworkers, I'd want it to be on this estate. I'd be the first to move in!
And I sure hope these gals would move in with me...
We all had such a great time.
More tomorrow...
20 comments:
oh how beautiful. luck you.
Lucky, lucky girl! How awesome that you were able to go to this event! And the jacket! Oh my goodness, like you I would have wanted to be up in the box! What great detail you have in the photos! This is an awesome work of art and so detailed....thank you for sharing this treat with us....
I am already looking forward to tomorrow's post! What a beautiful place.... I'm with you on the retirement home - where's the builder!!!
what a lovely experience you had...
Oh to own that jacket and have the figure to wear it!
Deb
Oh Wow! I feel like I was there! :) Thanks for sharing the experience. I had a lovely time too! *grin*
what an amazing experience to see and hear all those wonderful things. Isn't that jacket do die for...that needlelace embroidery is gorgeous....
I did like the photo of the bridge with the cover over it..I think I have seem that style in old movies.
Thank you so much for sharing
More tomorrow! How can you make us wait so long? How can you be such a tease?
But wait, I have been tipped the wink and I have enrolled!
Great photographs! I cannot see enough of the jacket. I just hope that it makes it across the pond some day so I see it for real. I think that it should come to Plymouth, England. That would be a nice twist in the tail :-)
Oh that jacket....is breathtaking. I'm not at all surprised that you felt at home.
What a beautiful ride to a wonderful place. Love the covered bridge. That jacket is fabulous and your pictures really show off the beauty. Glad you had such a nice time.
Teresa's Heartfelt Stitches
Every time I see pictures of THE JACKET, a different motif catches my eye. I can't imagine the impact of seeing it in person.
It looks like there were many in attendance. How many were there? Tomorrow's post will be interesting.
And a covered bridge to top it all off! Sounds like a great time, Susan. I used to get the museum catalog and enjoyed it...always wanted to see their gardens. Thanks for the lovely photos, and btw, your flutterby is amazing!
Reminds me of Biltmore! The road in...Olmsted. How wonderful! ALLLL of it. So happy for you. Thanks for sharing.
shove over I think I am coming to join you ..lol the place looks fabulous and that Jacket ohhhh my ,just stunning isn't it ... love mouse xxxxx
I am green with envy! It all sounds fascinating, but I shall just have to be content that I stitched a Tulip and contributed to the costs of the exhibition..
What a wonderful event!!! No doubts that you had a great time!! that Jacket is incredible what an amazing work of art!!!
Thanks for sharing!!!
Magnifique ! Merci pour ces belles photos. Bisous et bonne soirée
what gorgeous countryside! the pictures are beautiful (as always)! but that jacket.....WOW! i would love to hear more about that jacket...its stunning :)
This is so beautiful - such an extraordinary work of art! Thank you for your wonderful photos shared!
Wow! Your photos are amazing! I just loved being able to inspect the stitching up close. Thanks for sharing!
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