Lucy's Advanced Goldwork for the Royal School of Needlework

 Lucy writes: Today I finally completed and submitted by Advanced Goldwork, as part of my studies for the Diploma at the Royal School of Needlework. It's been a long time in the making - I started it in January 2020, just before the lockdown!

Required elements for the Advanced Goldwork module include basketweave, kid, combination cutwork including rough purl, and plate. The heraldic subject I chose (the Pelican in her Piety with three chicks on an Ionic column) was well-suited to the technique. I particularly enjoyed putting in the David Bowie-style corona on the pelican. I am expecting to re-visit gold work many times, as it is so much used in ecclesiastical embroidery, and this piece of work was an excellent introduction to a wide range of stitches. I'm not sure I'll be doing much cutwork in the future though...as other embroiderers will attest, it's extremely fiddly and far too fragile even to be transported once it's finished, never mind worn. This piece of work will be framed and hung to protect it from damage.