Two Birds and a Squirrel

Phillipa Turnbull
Advanced

Unleash your creativity with the 'Two Birds & A Squirrel' design course. Guided by Phillipa Turnbull, this course empowers students to choose their own colors and techniques, crafting a personalised Jacobean embroidery piece. Perfect for those eager to explore individual artistic expression in traditional crewelwork.

Started: Feb 22, 2024

10 Months

Crewel Work

Indulge in the Era of Natural Beauty

This course is inspired by Phillipa's desire to explore the creative limits of crewel work and to share its incredible history and qualities, as a textile art, with fellow embroiderers. The aim of the course is to take embroiderers to an advanced level in crewel work stitch and technique.

Students will gain confidence in committing their personal stitch and colour choices with a greater understanding of the use of colours in crewel work in a historical context, a new perspective on colour and stitch combinations, and a new sense of freedom with the needle.

The original antique crewel work, which will be the focus of this course, is a classic Arts & Crafts embroidery, but inspired by designs and colours from earlier eras.

As well as the two unusual birds and charming squirrel, the design features 14 floral motifs and an array of foliage elements - the perfect playground for the avid crewel worker.

About this course

Using two bespoke printed Samplers containing repeats of features within the main design, students will enjoy exploring new possibilities in colour and stitch. Working with these designs to play and experiment, and ultimately become comfortable with making brave design choices, students will finally produce their own unique Two Birds & a Squirrel crewel work heirloom.

  • Be able to create your own embroidered heirloom, with a tangible use, to pass down the generations

  • Gain a profound sense of freedom with your needle

  • Gain confidence in your own designing and creativity

  • Learn all basic crewel work techniques, including extra decorative stitches.

  • Develop a new perspective on colour and stitch combinations with the freedom to experiment more on your own designs

  • Enjoy a group experience and develop friendships with like-minded stitchers

Advanced

Prior Embroidery Experience is Required

This course is for those who have stitched a CWC kit or taken a course with Phillipa (online, in-person, or on Zoom)

Shop all kits
Advanced

The Details

Download Class Dates

Class Dates

Setting Up
22 February 2024

Choosing An Era
21 March 2024

Making Stitch Choices
25 April 2024

Committing to Cloth
23 May 2024

Understanding the Context
20 June 2024

Summer Break

Different Stitch Effects
22 August 2024

Your Unique Style
26 September 2024

More on Colour
24 October 2024

Evolving Your Design
21 November 2024

Winter Break

Show & Tell
23 January 2025

The Kit

🔹 100 skeins of wool in numerical order in the base of the box
🔹 A "Two Birds and a Squirrel" printed linen
🔹 Two Sampler printed linens
🔹 Needles
🔹 A3 Blank stitch and colour charts
🔹 Curved tip crewel work scissors
🔹 A set of colouring pencils

In addition, you will receive a top up package with more wools of your choice and some silks to add the final touches to your design!

What's Included

40 Hours of Tuition with Phillipa

Phillipa Turnbull has been teaching Crewel Work for 30 years and is passionate about keeping the designs and techniques from the past alive through the medium of crewel work.

In this unique and painstakingly designed course, Phillipa shares her knowledge of design, stitch, and colour - guiding you as you unleash your creativity on this beautiful design.

  • Over 10 sessions, Phillipa will guide you to create your own unique stitched design
  • Learn how to chart and keep track of your choices
  • Between classes you can ask questions and share your progress on the exclusive community space
  • All classes are recorded with lifetime access to give you all the support you need on your stitching journey

An abundance of choice

During this course, Phillipa will guide you through creating 3 unique embroideries. In February 2024 you will receive the first package, with everything needed to get started. In late-February you will begin monthly classes, during which Phillipa will guide you through each design principle.

Stitching alongside Phillipa, you will use two Sampler pieces to experiment with stitch and colour combinations before committing your choices to the final Two Birds & a Squirrel design.

As you would expect in a course focused on choice and colour - the package of this kit contains an abundance of wool!

  • All threads, beads & needles including 100 skeins of Appletons 2-ply crewel wool and a top-up package halfway through the course
  • Linen pre-printed with final design
  • 2 large printed sampler linens
  • Blank stitch and colour charts to capture your choices
“The quality of the materials and the live classes is astounding. Worth every penny. It feels like you are creating an heirloom.”

Create your own unique heirloom that you can treasure forever.

Register Interest in Next Cohort

Meet Your Tutor

Phillipa Turnbull

Founder of Crewel Work Company

United Kingdom 🇬🇧

The founder of the The Crewel Work Company, Phillipa has over 30 years of experience as an embroidery tutor. She leads a fun and relaxed session packed with Crewel Work tips and tricks to get you feeling confident with your needle.
Learn More About Phillipa Turnbull

You might be wondering

What size is the design?

Linen pre-printed with final design measuring 70 x 70 cm (27½ x 27½ in). Actual design size is 48.5 x 50 cm (19 x 19½ in). The course also includes two samplers measuring 65 x 30 cm (25 x 13¾ in) printed on 85 x 50 cm (33½ x 19½ in.) fabric.

What stitches are featured in the design?

In this unique course, all stitch choices are yours to make!

What else will I need?

For the main design, you will be using a slate 24 inch frame (up to 30 inch will be fine). You could also use a 10 inch hoop if you prefer it.

For the samplers, an 8" hoop would be recommended since it provides better tension. You can use it with a barrel clamp or paddle base.

How long will it take me?

This course takes place over 11 months with time to stitch between each session. You are not expected to have finished your design by the time the course ends but you may find that you are very nearly there!

How do I join the live classes?

All classes will take place on Zoom, which can be accessed directly from your dashboard. A link to the session will also be sent to you before the class.

Delivery & Returns

Packages will be sent by express delivery and shipping is included.

Unfortunately we cannot offer a refund on this course once a deposit has been placed.