Learn to make an embroidered mitre

The Guild of St Clare is collaborating with the Royal School of Needlework to provide a special one day course, making miniature embroidered mitres. This is a unique opportunity to practise the skill of ecclesiastical embroidery and learn how to make a mitre using traditional hand construction techniques, in the beautiful setting of the RSN's teaching apartments at Hampton Court Palace. The tuition will be provided by RSN tutor Heather Lewis, who has led many courses for the Guild of St Clare in the past.

Heather leading our burse making course at the RSN in March 2020

The date is 14th March 2026, and the course will run between 10am and 4pm. Tea and coffee are provided; you will need to bring a packed lunch, or you can visit one of Hampton Court Palace's cafes. The cost, including the materials, is £196. 

For more information please email Lucy on guildofstclare@lms.org.uk, or book through the registration link on the LMS website.

Heather's embroidery sampler

Launch of the Scottish Chapter

The Guild of St Clare is delighted to be opening the New Year with a new Chapter, our first in Scotland. The Scottish Chapter will meet for the first time on 31st January at Lawside Convent, home of the Marian Franciscans. 

The leader of the new Chapter is Rosa Thurrott, an experienced Guild of St Clare volunteer who is also one of the winners of our Sponsorship Scheme. If you'd like to know more, or join the Chapter, you can email Rosa on gosc.scot@lms.org.uk .

I will be attending the launch meeting myself, and am looking forward enormously to meeting the volunteers and practising the beautiful art of vestment mending in this most romantic setting. Please pray for a successful inauguration!

The Ipswich Charter Hangings

 Ancilla writes: In the year 1200, Ipswich was granted the Royal Charter by King John (of Robin Hood fame). Eight hundred years later, in AD 2000, Isabel Clover designed eight hangings to commemorate this important part of history for Ipswich Town.

The hangings had many sponsors: Ipswich Borough Council, Ipswich Port Authority, and Ipswich Decorative and Fine Arts Society, among others. The hangings had 40 City and Guild students and former students working on them over 3 years, and they are now exhibited at St Peters-by-the-Waterfront (which has free admission).

Side-by-side it is easy to see the theme running through all eight panels, the River Orwell, which has been wonderfully created with silk velvet. Each panel represents a century, taking a snapshot of what was happening and what Ipswich Town looked like.

It really is very well done, with a variety of stitches and mediums used to create the story of time and place. The main technique used is Applique, which will be familiar to many and is the first course of the Diploma offered at the RSN. There is also quite a bit of Goldwork, scattered throughout the panels.

They are a great inspiration as to what can be achieved with hangings or banners. It shows that Ecclesiastical Banners, Guild Banners, Society Banners, etc., have their place in our communities still, whether large or small. The Guild of St Clare has been instrumental in making and preserving such banners; may God bless the work!