Blog Posts

This is where you will find my latest blog posts. They may be about my embroidery work, lectures or workshops I have run, exhibitions I have been to, or just about interesting or amusing things I have seen or done! I will try to post here regularly, but I’m not making any rash promises…….

General postsJune 19, 2021June 19, 2021

Back-stitch vs ‘forward-stitch’: an adventure in stitch variation.

A friend recently enquired about my alternative way of doing stem stitch. It got me thinking. There are several embroidery stitches which may be done in a couple of ways,Continue readingBack-stitch vs ‘forward-stitch’: an adventure in stitch variation.

Georgian embroidery, Historical EmbroideryMay 22, 2021May 22, 2021

“New and Elegant Patterns”: a hunt for treasures, Part 2.

The Story continues……. “The Lady’s Magazine, or Entertaining Companion for the Fair Sex, Appropriated Solely to their Use and Amusement” was first published in August 1770 and continued for 13Continue reading“New and Elegant Patterns”: a hunt for treasures, Part 2.

Georgian embroidery, Historical EmbroideryApril 15, 2021April 15, 2021

“New and Elegant Patterns”: a hunt for treasures! Part the first….

“The Lady’s Magazine, or Entertaining Companion for the Fair Sex, Appropriated Solely to their Use and Amusement” was first published in August 1770 and continued for 13 issues a yearContinue reading“New and Elegant Patterns”: a hunt for treasures! Part the first….

General posts, Georgian embroidery, Historical EmbroideryMarch 14, 2021March 14, 2021

An ‘Entertaining Companion’!

I’m sure many of us read magazines, for their recipes, holiday suggestions, fashion info, household ideas, etc. We may subscribe regularly, or only buy occasionally – train journeys are oneContinue readingAn ‘Entertaining Companion’!

General posts, NewslettersJanuary 21, 2021January 21, 2021

Newsletter: January 2021

Hello! …and a Happy New Year to all of you. Here’s hoping we can all have a better 2021. There is at least some light at the end ofContinue readingNewsletter: January 2021

General postsDecember 10, 2020December 10, 2020

Why the Snail?

Long story! About 20 years ago I bought a facsimile copy of Richard Shoreleyker’s “A Scholehouse for the Needle” which is a pattern book for needlework, especially needle lace andContinue readingWhy the Snail?

General posts, NewslettersNovember 13, 2020November 13, 2020

Newsletter: November 2020

November 13th, 2020 Alison Larkin, Embroiderer GREETINGS FROM HULL Well, here we go again! Another full lockdown is probably the best thing right now to help keep Covid-19 under someContinue readingNewsletter: November 2020

General postsOctober 2, 2020October 2, 2020

“Gone, and never called me Mother!”

Earlier this week, Chris and I went down to Norfolk for a few days spending time with some long-standing friends. It was great to catch up, suitably socially distanced ofContinue reading“Gone, and never called me Mother!”

General posts, Newsletters, UncategorizedSeptember 23, 2020September 23, 2020

Newsletter for September 2020

September 2020 Alison Larkin, Embroiderer HELLO Greetings from sunny Hull – although given the forecast I’m not sure how long sunny will last! I hope you are all well andContinue readingNewsletter for September 2020

General postsJuly 28, 2020July 28, 2020

Thoughts on the pace of time

I’ve been reading a post on the BBC news app this morning, by a photographer who has been recording Lockdown on an antique camera. It’s by Jo De Banzie, andContinue readingThoughts on the pace of time