Outing to the V&A

On Monday 26th November the Guild of St Clare children's chapter had its Michaelmas Term outing, which was to the Victoria and Albert Museum. We were very fortunate to be guided round the exhibits by one of the V&A's experts, Anne Howarth. On hearing the name of the Guild she took us to see the Altar of St Clare, originally built for a church in Florence. (I apologise for the poor quality pictures - the V&A was very dimly lit and rather busy which made it difficult!)

The Altar of St Clare

She showed us some remarkable embroidered vestments including a splendid cope decorated with many different saints, worn for Palm Sunday, as well as introducing us to various historical fashions.

Some of the children looking at a medieval tapestry

We've come away with plenty of inspiration for future sewing projects! Many thanks to the V&A for such a historical treat.

Towards Advent

The Guild of St Clare is at Towards Advent today!

Preparing for our Towards Advent stall

The children's chapter in Oxford is hard at work preparing hand-sewn Christmas decorations for our sale at the Towards Advent fair in London next week.

Completing some goldwork Christmas decorations

Hard at work on some Christmas bunting

A young Guild member engaged in Goldwork embroidery

A miniature silk and goldwork banner

The LMS chairman helps us out, cutting some felt with a rotary cutter

To purchase any of our beautiful hand embroidered products come and see us at the Towards Advent Festival, opening at 10.30am on Saturday November 24th in Westminster Cathedral Hall, Ambrosden Avenue, London SWI.

Children's Chapter outing to the V&A

Here in Oxford we are starting to get excited about our Michaelmas Term outing, which is to the V&A museum in South Kensington.

The Victoria and Albert museum was founded in 1852

We will be given a guided tour round the Fashion department, which houses clothes dating back 400 years. Places cost £10 - book now! We are limited to 25 places.

National Training Day

We at the Guild of St Clare are very excited to be holding our first National Training Day on 5th January. The Royal School of Needlework is providing the beautiful setting and also the expert tuition of Heather Lewis in Ecclesiastical Goldwork for Beginners. Book early for this treat: places are going fast! To make a reservation or to find out more please get in touch with Lucy Shaw on lucyashaw@gmail.com. Attendees must be aged 16 or over.

Goldwork is principally used for ecclesiastical purposes

Hampton Court Palace is home to the Royal School of Needlework

The Royal School of Needlework created the magnificent wedding dress worn by the Duchess of Cambridge, and designed by Sarah Burton for Alexander McQueen

Our Chaplain's most recent creation

Our chaplain, Fr Bede Rowe, (A Chaplain Abroad), has recently completed this wonderful piece of satin stitch embroidery, which he has appliqued on to a white chasuble. The Guild of St Clare is honoured to have such an accomplished needleworker as its spiritual leader!

Close-up of the embroidery

The chasuble with Fr Bede's needlework appliqued on

Guild of St Clare at Towards Advent

Toward Advent 2011

I'm excited to announce that this year the Guild of St Clare will have a presence at the Towards Advent conference at Westminster Cathedral Hall. We will be selling our own handmade products including Christmas tree decorations, Missal covers, bags and lots more besides from the Latin Mass Society stall. Look out for us there!