Chawton House Library
13 May to 26 August 2024
This exhibition showcases the work of award-winning graduate of the Royal School of Needlework Emily Barnett, whose degree project took inspiration from the gardens and collection at Chawton House. Her final show stopping piece comprises three beautifully embroidered panels, focusing on:
~ the Orchard and the Knight family cookbook
~ the Rose Garden and Elizabeth Blackwell’s Curious Herbal
~ the Library Terrace and the women’s writing collection.
Chawton In Stitches
Jane was skilled at needlework, particularly cross-stitch, as her brothers often noted when she made shirts for them. You can see the consistent neatness of her stitching in the quilt and shawl on display at the Jane Austen’s House Museum, and in the needle case she made for her niece.
Good light is needed, and good eyesight, and Jane probably wore one of the two pairs of spectacles kept in her travel writing desk. She was no doubt taught by her mother, Mrs Austen, who continued to sew in the front room of Steventon Rectory as visitors came and went.
Jane also loved gardens and flowers, and often talked of ‘improvements’ in her novels. She walked through the fields of Hampshire every day, and often visited Edward and his family at Chawton House and even advised him on a wall or two!
It was lovely then to see a demonstration of sewing mastery during Regency Week. I was part of a group watching a young girl sewing beautiful lilac petals onto a silk cloth. We discovered that she was the artist who inspired ‘Chawton In Stitches’, the current exhibition at Chawton House, and this inspired me to find out more.
Exhibition Visit
I enjoy visiting Chawton House, with its large open rooms and staircases, and looking through the window where Jane would watch the comings and goings through the village.
The exhibition rooms are on the top floor, and Emily’s work is interspersed throughout, along with a history of needlework and various examples of stitching from the 18th and 19th century. You can see how the curator has pulled together the items, including needlework in its form, the attitude to women who sew, and how needlework was seen as a talent rather than a necessity.
Countryside Framed Wall Sampler
I was not disappointed when the first item that caught my eye was this beautiful sampler, sewn by Mary Pennington, aged ten in 1830. The stitches are tiny and delicate, and there is a lot of detail with leaves, flowers and animals. She has also stitched in that she was ‘Instructed by Mrs Stubbs’ who no doubt made sure she got a mention!
Embroidery was taught to girls from a young age. They were instructed in the making of samples as a pastime, with the end pieces seen as artworks in a style that was popular in the Georgian period. They were large enough, and good enough to be framed and decorate a wall, and I suspect that this sampler took pride of place in their household.
Map of England and Wales
Another fascinating item in this room is an embroidered map of England and Wales that dates to the 18th century. A popular form of sampler in the Georgian period involved the reproduction of maps. This cloth is stitched plainly and clearly, so was probably used for learning. The writing almost looks as though it is written in pen, and the detail is amazing.
Oh that Mary Wollstonecraft!
On the opposite wall is an interesting collection of books where women authors have extolled the virtues of needlework. Some of the books show needlework projects and instructions on delicate pages that fold out, and it’s amazing that they are in such good condition.
In contrast, Mary Wollstonecraft looks upon the ‘work’ as a way of controlling women. The guide explained that she is really saying that she thinks women should be educated like men instead. A much better use of their time.
A real feminist of her day, though what Lady Catherine would say, I do not know!
In the next room there are some of Emily’s working boards on display, where she has taken images and photographs from the garden to use for inspiration. They are in clusters, and you can see the results hanging on the opposite wall.
Petals on Panels
The working boards are represented on three large long panels mounted on the wall. The flowers almost look real and the petals are finely sewn and raised from the fabric, with author names appearing amongst the greenery. I looked at them for a long time, and I am still fascinated as to how the flowers and greenery is raised so neatly from the fabric.
Although this is a small exhibition, it’s a sweet one. I can’t help thinking as I walk away about the ladies in Jane’s novels, and how needlework was instantly produced and worked upon when a male visitor appears!
It’s definitely worth a visit and included in the entry fee. We’ve got a beautiful day, so it’s down to the courtyard for some sunshine, tea and lemon drizzle cake!
Needlework Events
Chawton House are hosting a series of embroidery workshops that you can find on their events page
The book JANE AUSTEN EMBROIDERY by JENNIE BATCHELOR and ALISON LARKIN was on display as part of the exhibition, and you can find a review on the books page
