Kelmscott by Louise Spriggs

Learning about the provenance of a technique, the inspiration for the design or even the story behind the name of a project can help bring additional interest and enjoyment while you stitch.

Kelmscott, created by Louise Spriggs and featured in our latest Handpicked release Collection 4, brings together history, style, and practicality in a stunning workbox, pincushion, and scissor sheath.

The motif embroidered across all three pieces has been inspired by one of the greats - poet and designer William Morris - who is perhaps most famous for leading the nineteenth century Arts & Crafts movement.

This significant period of design was dedicated to recapturing the spirit and quality workmanship of medieval art and was strongly influenced by nature.

Echoing the beautiful floral designs typical of Morris, this Kelmscott trio are decorated with delightful scrolling stems of brightly coloured lilies and berries, all worked onto a stunning dark navy background.

Paying homage to this William Morris inspired project is its name, Kelmscott.

Kelmscott Manor was William Morris’s country home in the Cotswolds, with the house and its surroundings providing a great source of inspiration for Morris, reflecting his love of traditional craftsmanship and natural beauty.

This home was of special significance for the Morris family and after William’s death, his daughter May Morris, a notable artist herself, lived there until her death in 1938. William also named his printing company Kelmscott Press in its honour.

In the project Kelmscott, Louise has done a superb job of firstly creating this gorgeous Morris inspired motif which looks every bit as if it could have come straight out of Kelmscott Manor. Next, she fashioned three beautiful pieces with a unified aesthetic that are equal parts gorgeous and practical giving them a life well beyond admiration.

Finally, she has finished off the construction with a series of small delicate details that we just love, including the use of Palestrina stitch to neatly finish the seams.

The Palestrina stitch is a beautiful knot-based stitch known for its textured, rope-like appearance and is itself steeped in history.

Named after the town of Palestrina in Italy, it is likely to have developed during the Renaissance period (15th–16th centuries), which was celebrated across Europe, especially for its intricate whitework and surface embroidery.

Pieces involving heavy outlining stitches, such as Palestrina stitch, became popular in decorative household linens and ecclesiastical textiles.

With a name befitting its inspired origins, a motif paying tribute to one of the greatest textile designers in history and finished with a spectacular traditional stitch with a rich Italian heritage, the stories behind the elements of Kelmscott are as engaging as the needlework itself.

Kits for Kelmscott are now available and include ample materials to create all three pieces; the workbox, pincushion and scissor sheath, along with the card, materials to create the twisted cord and printed instructions.