Ancilla writes: When I first started getting into vestment embroidery Opus Anglicanum, translated to ‘English Work’, was very much on my radar. The V&A Exhibition ‘Opus Anglicanum: Masterpieces of English Medieval Embroidery’ was about the same time so there was much hype around this ancient needle work.
The Opus Anglicanum Exhibition at the V& A Museum, London
A decade passed from
this first interest when Guild Mistress, Lucy Shaw, kindly enrolled us onto the
2 Day RSN course ‘Introduction to Opus Anglicanum’ conducted by Jessica
Ingram. I was very interested and excited.
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| Our sampler kit |
This medieval embroidery has a unique style to it, think illuminated manuscripts like the St Albans Psalters, and Tutor Jessica had designed a sample for us with a Violet flower to this style.
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| Jessica's completed sampler |
We began with the flower itself using silk threads to block shade the colours in using a split stitch. Then the really cool bit: underside couching. This way of using gold threads maximises all its glittering potential with minimal waste. I ended up wasting alot more than your medieval embroiderer would have but it really is a stunning way to use gold threads. There is a wonderful rhythm you can get into when sewing which I am sure would be very good for inserting prayers.
Lucy's sampler
The sample also included the technique of Or Nue using silver threads and stem stitch in silk. I found the classes to be a really good taster and it left me wanting more.
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| RSN tutor Jessica Ingram |
My hope is that we can reclaim this technique and style back for God, His Church and Britain. May Our Lady of Walsingham and St Clare help us in this endeavour!
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| The Virgin Mary embroidering, detail from a manuscript illumination from the Klosterneuburger Evangelienwerk |
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