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English Embroidery

Step into the intricate world of English embroidery, where centuries-old techniques and modern styles combine to create beautiful art. This course covers embroidery styles from the Medieval period through to William Morris and the Arts and Crafts movement, with historical insights and a closer look at outstanding examples in the V&A collections.

From the moment you enrol on a V&A on-demand course, you get 12 months' access to every stunning video lecture to rewatch as often as you like, plus plenty of additional learning materials, yours to keep.
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  • Jennifer Wearden

  • 9 video lectures

  • 3 hours 6 minutes

This course covers: 

  • The Bayeux Tapestry and the role of embroidery as visual communication 
  • Opulent religious vestments and their symbolism
  • The aftermath of the Black Death on medieval embroidery 
  • Elizabethan splendour, Mary Queen of Scots and a treasonous plot
  • Time, patience, and an eye for colour: the rise of domestic embroidery
  • The social history of embroidery: Upholders, silkwomen and needle painters
  • William Morris, the British Art Nouveau and art embroidery 
  • A closer look at examples from the V&A collections and their stories
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Your tutor

Jennifer Wearden

In the 28 years Jennifer worked with the Museum’s Textile Collection she curated a V&A exhibition called The European Art of Textiles and authored/co-authored several V&A publications including Samplers, Ottoman Embroidery, Oriental Carpets and Iranian Textiles. More recently, she has been delivering sold-out courses on the history of textiles and dress.
I loved the lecturers who are completely steeped in the subject matter of their lectures.
Previous V&A Academy Online Course Attendee

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