The Artefact

To commemorate the 450th year, we decided to arrange a commissioned hand embroidered table-top Lectern Fall. The design will be interpreted in hand embroidery by the experts at the Royal School of Needlework.

The Worshipful Company of Broderers wishes to add to its beautiful and historic treasures a major example of the embroiderers’ art. This lectern Fall is designed to fulfill that wish and to be both a lasting tribute to the Broderers’ long history and a demonstration of the Company’s commitment to all facets of embroidery. That is why the stitching of the Lectern Fall has been entrusted to the safe and skilful hands of our friends at The Royal School of Needlework. It is envisaged that the Fall will be used at all the formal dinners of the Company.

We look forward eagerly to the unveiling of this magnificent work later in this momentous year.

Below are updates on the progress of the Lecturn Fall.

Groups:

450th Year

Progress update

May 2011

As part of the celebrations this year of the 450th anniversary of the granting to the Broderers’ Company of its first Royal Charter by Queen Elizabeth 1st in 1561, the Company have commissioned a *Lectern Fall, to be used at all future Livery Dinners and formal events.

The design of the Fall, which will be the principal tangible treasure for the Broderers’ 450th anniversary year, was originally drawn by Jane Lemon and interpreted by Phillipa Turnbull, who, in consultation with the Broderers and the studio at The Royal School of Needlework made the final design and material decisions. Phillipa is the partner of Liveryman Harry Williamson.

The design is, appropriately, of the current age, whilst embodying a number of themes relating to the Company’s history, for example The Master’s Song.

The stitching of the Fall is in the hands of the Royal School of Needlework, of which Harry is a Trustee. Whereas the design is modern and vibrant, the techniques used to stitch the work draw on the vast experience and tradition of the Royal School. A trial figure 5, part of 1561, which the lectern fall committee has seen, was ravishing in its artistry and skill, and created an excited anticipation of the finished work. See below.

If the progress of the stitching has not been even paced, this is because the relevant resources at the Royal School were understandably diverted and fully devoted to the production of the Royal wedding dress and other accoutrements of the bride. The Broderers have therefore been engaged in two ways with that magnificent event. First, our work made way for the wedding dress and second, eagle-eyed television watchers would have seen our Warden making an important contribution to the smooth running of the event itself!

* A Lectern Fall is an embroidered frontal which is attached to and hangs down in front of a table-top lectern used for speeches at Dinners, etc. It is therefore in full view of the diners attending the Dinner. The requirement that the message contained in the design can be seen and appreciated by as many diners as possible has a considerable influence on the design.

Colours have been chosen

7th June 2011

Background and all foreground materials have been chosen between Phillipa and Mandy Ewing, Head of Studio at the RSN.

A new sample of the stitching of the numbers has also been received (see photo), using red rather than blue. A start will now be made on stitching final samples for approval.

These will include a couple of options for the outside border. The RSN Studio will soon be in a position to start stitching the Fall itself following final agreement on dimensions of the Lectern.

Stiching commences

12 September 2011

The exciting project commissioned by the Worshipful Company of Broderers to create a piece of embroidery which is both modern but at the same time has the foundation in representing this ancient and wonderful skill is slowly taking place. Funded in the name of the late Past Master Charles Gotto, the beautiful design has now been completed on what will become the Lectern Fall.

The focus on the concept is now swinging from research and decision making to the commencement of actual stitching by the Royal School of Needlework. The final pieces of the decision making process has taken place and the life size “proof” with the words Omnia Desuper appear above the main design in their own area. Considerable trouble has been taken to try and match as closely as possible the actual font used in the historic embroidered coronet owned by the Broderers many years ago. Stitching has commenced on the numbers in the main design. This takes the form of laying the felt foundation which will give the final gold stitches their elevation from the surface of the Fall.

File 283 File 281 File 287

This project is now beginning to 'shape up' and we much look forward to seeing the finished artefact in all its glory.

Progress during the Master's visit

14 October 2011

Pictures of progress taken during the Master's visit.

File 299 File 303 File 302 File 300

The Fall is progressing well

22 November 2011

The Fall is progressing well and no snags have been reported.

In the photos that look as though a surgical procedure is taking place, what is actually happening is that the girls are showing a special metal thread edging that they commissioned from Benson and Johnson specially for this project, and they were illustrating how it will look once it is on the Fall.

File 697 File 700 File 699