Gawthorpe Textiles Collection

Name: Gawthorpe Textiles Collection
Address: Northlight Estates, Brierfield, BB95EG, GB
Telephone: +441282773963

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Gawthorpe Textiles Collection

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An internationally renowned collection of textiles located in the heart of Pennine Lancashire

One of the finest collections of lace, embroidery and textiles in Europe, Gawthorpe Textiles Collection is comprised of over 30,000 items from all over the world. The Collection was founded by Rachel Kay-Shuttleworth (1886-1967) as a teaching resource to revive traditional craft skills. Now an Accredited museum, the Collection is displayed across five galleries at Gawthorpe Hall in Padiham, Lancashire.

13/10/2026

Mola Christmas Angel Workshop 🎄🧵
Join us at Gawthorpe Textiles Collection, Northlight Estates, Brierfield, on Saturday 21 November, 10am–3pm, for a festive textiles workshop led by Bev Lamey.

You’ll explore the colourful world of Molas, pictorial blouses created by the Cuna women of the San Blas Islands of Panama, and learn the reverse appliqué technique used to make them.

After studying Molas from the Gawthorpe Textiles Collection and Bev’s own collection, you’ll create your own Mola Christmas angel, inspired by one of the Collection’s Molas featuring two musical angels: one playing a trumpet and the other a saxophone.

Bev will demonstrate every stage of the process, provide examples and guidance, and supply detailed written instructions. The stitching is simple, making this workshop suitable for all skill levels.

All materials are provided, although you’re welcome to bring your own sewing kit, including scissors and needles.

Bev has extensive experience teaching textiles and previously worked as Community Engagement Officer at Gawthorpe Textiles Collection. She was also Principal Lecturer in Fashion & Textiles at the University of Lancashire, where she led the MA Surface Pattern and Textiles course.

📅 Saturday 21 November
🕙 10am–3pm
📍 Gawthorpe Textiles Collection, Northlight Estates, Brierfield

Book Here: https://l1nq.com/wpzfvm3

Book your place and enjoy a festive day of textile inspiration, stitching and making. All income from our courses supports Gawthorpe Textiles Collection, helping us care for and share this important collection.

Photos Copyright of Gawthorpe Textiles Collection

11/10/2026

A look back at last Saturday’s study visit exploring trimmings and embellishments from Gawthorpe Textiles Collection.

Led by our Curator, Rachel Midgley, the session explored passementerie, beading, bindings, ruffles, flounces and applied embellishments, with the opportunity to study a selection of objects from the Collection up close.

Thank you to everyone who joined us for such an enjoyable session!

Our next event is an online talk exploring Goldwork embroidery. Visit our website or Eventbrite for further details and booking information.

Photography copyright Gawthorpe Textiles Collection

10/10/2026

✨ A vibrant example of 18th-century British silk weaving ✨

Dating from 1740–1780 , this yellow brocaded silk from the United Kingdom 🇬🇧 was probably intended as garment fabric, perhaps for a woman’s gown or a man’s coat or waistcoat .

The silk features a damask weave, creating a self-coloured background pattern beneath vibrant floral sprays 🌸 added through additional brocade weaving. Metallic threads ✨ further enhance the design, adding richness and detail to the bold yellow ground 💛.

The complex, multicoloured pattern and the use of difficult metallic threads demonstrate the skill of the specialist silk weaver who created it 🧵.

During the 18th century, Chinese design became highly fashionable across Europe, inspiring the decorative style known as Chinoiserie . At the same time, silk weaving grew into a significant British industry, helped by the arrival of Huguenot refugees from France, many of whom brought valuable silk-weaving skills with them.

This textile reflects both influences: European silk-weaving techniques combined with Chinoiserie-style motifs and a striking yellow shade reminiscent of the colours worn in the Chinese Imperial courts .

📅 Date: 1740–1780
🌍 Origin: United Kingdom
📏 Dimensions: W 51 cm × H 29 cm

📸 Photos Copyright of Gawthorpe Textiles Collection.

08/10/2026

✨ Beautiful bags with a story to tell ✨
Looking for a practical gift for a textile lover, crafter or history enthusiast? 🧵💛
Our sturdy Wash / Cosmetic Bags, made in Lancashire, are perfect for:
✂️ Craft projects on the go
🧶 Embroidery threads and sewing notions
📚 Small treasures for workshops, study days or textile events
🧴 Cosmetics and toiletries
🧦 Travel essentials

🎁 A thoughtful gift for anyone who loves heritage and making

🌿 Crewel Work Design
Featuring details from the magnificent crewel work bed hangings designed and embroidered by our founder, Rachel Kay Shuttleworth. Inspired by 17th-century crewel work, the design includes a stylised Tree of Life and popular animal motifs, including a squirrel and parrot. 🐿️🦜

🧵 Thread Reels Design
Featuring repeating motifs from charming vintage and antique thread reels in our collection, including their beautiful original labels.

Both designs are:
✔️ 100% cotton
✔️ Fully lined
✔️ Finished with a brass zip
✔️ Available in two sizes
✔️ Made in Lancashire

📏 Approximate dimensions:
Small: 23cm wide x 17cm deep
Large: 31cm wide x 23cm deep

💷 Prices:
Thread Reels: £15 or £20.00, depending on size

Every purchase helps support the work of our charity and the care, sharing and accessibility of the Gawthorpe Textiles Collection. 💙

🛍️ Buy yours through our website online shop and take a little piece of textile history with you wherever you go.
Here's the link https://www.gawthorpetextiles.co.uk/bags

Photos Copyright of Gawthorpe Textiles Collection

07/10/2026

Our volunteers play an important role in caring for Gawthorpe Textiles Collection, including undertaking conservation work to help preserve objects for the future.

Volunteers support many different areas of our work, from collections care and research to events and activities.

Interested in volunteering with us? Get in touch at [email protected] to find out more.

Photography copyright Gawthorpe Textiles Collection

06/10/2026

✨✨ GOLDWORK: A CLOSE-UP LOOK AT GORGEOUS GOLDEN THREADS ✨✨
Ever wondered what goes into creating those incredibly intricate goldwork embroideries?
Join Gawthorpe Textiles Collection Curator Rachel Midgley for a fascinating online showcase of some of the most beautiful goldwork in our collection.
And these aren’t just quick glimpses! 👀
📸 High-resolution images will reveal the tiny details, textures and techniques
🎙️ Rachel will bring the pieces to life with her live narration
🌍 Explore goldwork traditions from Victorian ecclesiastical embroidery, India, Persia and China
💬 Stay afterwards for questions and informal discussion
From shimmering metal purl work to precisely couched gold threads, prepare to see embroidery in a whole new light. ✨🧵
🎥 Take a look at our videos to get a taste of the kind of detail we’ll be exploring!
💻 ONLINE VIA ZOOM
📅 Monday 19 October
⏰ 7pm
🎟️ £9
Perfect for textile lovers, embroiderers, historians, crafters… or anyone who simply appreciates beautiful things! 💛
👉 Book your place via Eventbrite:
https://www.eventbrite.co.uk/e/online-talk-goldwork-tickets-1991594476692
✨ Don’t miss this chance to get a closer look at some truly spectacular goldwork from the comfort of your own home.

01/10/2026

✨ Only a few days left to book! ✨

Join us for a unique study day exploring Trimmings & Embellishments at the Gawthorpe Textiles Collection. 🧵

Led by Curator Rachel Midgley, this special session offers the opportunity to examine original historic clothing and accessories up close, including:

🔸 Passementerie and beading
🔸 Bindings, ruffles and flounces
🔸 Applied embellishments and fabric trimmings
🔸 The techniques and materials used to decorate historic pieces

Whether you’re interested in textile history, fashion, dressmaking or decorative techniques, this is a wonderful chance to discover more, look closely at collection objects and meet others who share your passion. ✨

📅 Saturday 3 October 2026
⏰ 10am–1pm
At Gawthorpe Textiles Collection Studio, Brierfield, Lancashire
🎟️ Book your tickets:
https://www.eventbrite.co.uk/o/gawthorpe-textiles-collection-3288050358 #=

Every booking helps support the Gawthorpe Textiles Collection. 💛

Photo Copyright of Gawthorpe Textiles Collection

29/09/2026

Spanish Connections
What can a small Victorian accessory reveal about international friendships? Item 18728 at Gawthorpe Textiles Collection is a reticule — a small drawstring handbag or pouch, often decorative, carried by women in the late 18th and 19th centuries.
Donated in 1964, the reticule measures 15.5 x 13 cm and dates from 1840–1870.

Its main panel is worked in wool in gobelin stitch on cotton canvas, with yellow and brown stripes and small red, green and purple “buds” on a white background. It has an ivory silk top strip, silk drawstrings, silk cord and two ornate tassels.
The reticule connects to a Spanish sleeveless blouse donated by Ethel Inglis, probably acquired while she lived in Gibraltar. The blouse’s bright green embroidery, smocking and Spanish peasant bobbin lace make the connection especially vivid.
Ethel’s friendship with Angela James began in Gibraltar in 1904 — a reminder of how textiles can carry personal stories across places and generations.
Read the full story on our website. Collection Stories is on the home page.
https://gtccollectionstories.tumblr.com/post/829082711492886528/spanish-connections
The Collection stories are researched and written by author Jane Hellebrand.
Photos Copyright of Gawthorpe Textiles Collection

27/09/2026

✨ Miniature patchwork pincushions in our Collection ✨
Silk, card, glass beads and pins, 19th century

These tiny pincushions may look decorative, but they were connected to the everyday importance of sewing.

In the 19th century, pins were essential for dressmaking, embroidery, mending and other forms of needlework. A pincushion kept them safely together and close to hand. Small objects like these also provided an opportunity to turn a practical sewing tool into something attractive and skilfully made.

The silk patchwork may have been created from treasured fabric scraps, reflecting the Victorian interest in fancywork, as well as the practical reuse of precious materials. The card gave the pincushion its shape, while the glass beads added colour, texture and decoration.

Because of their miniature size and elaborate finish, these pincushions may also have been made as gifts, keepsakes or decorative objects for a sewing table. They remind us that even a humble domestic tool could become a tiny textile artwork.

🧵 Small objects with a story of sewing, skill, thrift and creativity.

Photos Copyright of Gawthorpe Textiles Collection

Address

Northlight Estates
Brierfield
BB95EG

Telephone

+441282773963

Website

http://www.gawthorpetextiles.org.uk/

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