Gawthorpe Bed Hanging - A Crewel Work Masterpiece

Name: Gawthorpe Bed Hanging - A Crewel Work Masterpiece
Brand: The Crewel Work Company
Price: 5319.0 USD
Availability: InStock

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Step into the rich world of historic embroidery with the Gawthorpe Bed Hanging, an exquisite design inspired by the breathtaking textiles of Gawthorpe Hall, home to one of Britain’s most remarkable needlework collections.

This Special Edition kit is based on a stunning Tree of Life motif, originally embroidered by Rachel Kay Shuttleworth, a passionate textile collector and embroiderer. Drawing from 17th-century techniques, motifs, and colours, Rachel created a magnificent set of bed hangings and pelmets for her 16th-century Tester bed—a true celebration of heritage craftsmanship.

With this kit, you have the opportunity to stitch your own legacy, using the highest-quality materials and traditional Crewel Work stitches, which have adorned fine textiles for centuries. Whether you're an experienced embroiderer or looking to deepen your skills, this project offers both a creative challenge and an extraordinary piece to cherish for generations.

This is a pre-order opportunity for dispatch in August 2025. All those who purchase their kit between now and then will be invited to take part in a series of online support sessions (included in your purchase) with Harriet Roberts from September 2025 onwards.

Please submit your request to purchase by clicking "Reserve My Kit" below. A member of our team will then be in touch with you to discuss your options.

Live support sessions & stitch-a-long community for 1 year

August 2025 Dispatch. Flexible payment plan available

Crewel Work

$5,319.00

Free International Shipping

Sent by insured secure courier

Money Back Guarantee

Full refund if you are not totally satisfied with your purchase

Exceptional Quality

The best British-made materials have been selected for this kit

The Gawthorpe Bed Hanging

In Collaboration with Gawthorpe Textiles Collection

About the Gawthorpe Bed Hanging

Embroider Your Legacy

We are thrilled to bring you a new and spectacular Special Edition Crewel Work Kit - The Gawthorpe Bed Hanging, a beautiful example of crewel work completed in the 'Jacobean' style.

This remarkable work of art is the jewel in the crown of the Gawthorpe Textile Collection along with a matching set of bedroom furnishings including a companion bed hanging, a large bedspread, a complete bed pelmet, two window pelmets, and four chair covers. These beautiful crewel work embroideries were stitched by The Honorable Rachel Kay-Shuttleworth. They took her over 10 years to stitch and were completed in the early 20th-Century.

This ambitious yet delightful design will take you deep into Rachel's world and her beautiful home Gawthorpe Hall in Lancashire, England.

What truly sets these bed hangings apart is the skill and creativity of Miss Rachel. They show a dedication to the craft of crewel work and to keeping the disciplines of hand embroidery alive, as she would insist upon later in her life when she set up the Gawthorpe Textiles Collection and ran her home for the local community as a 'Craft House'.

A Rare Opportunity: Stitch a stunning recreation of a historic embroidered bed hanging, designed by Rachel Kay-Shuttleworth and inspired by 17th-century textiles.
A Creative Challenge: Expand your skills as you experiment with a diverse combination of stitches and colours, developing a new perspective on how they work together to bring a design to life.
A Shared Journey: Connect with fellow stitchers in our private embroidery community. Share progress, tips, and find inspiration together.
A Timeless Treasure: Create an heirloom that reflects your dedication and artistry—something to cherish for generations to come.
Support at Every Stage: Guaranteed supply of materials, a dedicated community space wit access to our team, and access to regular sessions to help you along the way.
A Mindful Escape: Pure 'you' time. A chance to immerse yourself in your embroidery and enjoy the meditative process.

Prior Embroidery Experience is Recommended

This special edition kit is designed for experienced embroiderers who are looking for a rewarding and immersive project. If you have previous experience with crewelwork or other forms of hand embroidery, you will find this project both engaging and fulfilling. If you have not tried Crewel Work before and you would like to start smaller, browse of our full range of kits below.

Browse Our Full Kit Range

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What to Expect

The Highest Quality Materials

We strive to provide only the most authentic and sustainable materials with quality and longevity in mind, enhancing your creative experience. From our specially woven British 'Jacobean' Linen Twill to Appleton’s 2-ply crewel embroidery wools, these are the same high-quality materials used by Miss Rachel over 100 years ago.

Kits will be delivered in two parts:

FIRST SHIPMENT - September 2025:
✔ Historically-Accurate Jacobean Linen Twill - pre-printed with the full design outline. You may choose to have our 'stitch guidelines' printed on the linen, or not
✔ A3 Stitch Charts - for colour and stitch placement
✔ Bespoke Stitch Instructions - with full-colour illustrations
✔ Appleton’s Wool Hanks & Skeins (for the top half of the design) - with a guarantee to supply more if needed)
✔ A new set of needles
SECOND SHIPMENT – June 2026:
✔ Remaining Appleton’s Wool Hanks & Skeins (to complete the lower half of the design)
✔ A new set of needles
✔ Remaining A3 Stitch Charts (to complete the lower half of the design)

Regular Support for One Year

Undertaking an embroidery of this magnitude can be both exciting and daunting. For this reason, we are combining the purchase of this design, with a series of online support sessions with our Master Stitcher, Harriet.

Harriet has stitched a number of significant crewel work designs, including the Muncaster Bed Hanging, the Georgian Bouquet, and now the Gawthorpe Bed Hanging itself. Her experience in completing projects of this size is significant and it is for that reason that we have asked her to support students in their bed hanging journey.

Starting in September, Harriet will support all those who have purchased the bed hanging up to the end of August 2025 with online Zoom sessions every other month. These sessions will offer a chance for stitchers to stitch regularly with others who are undertaking the same journey, while having access to a live forum where Harriet will respond to any questions you may have.

The sessions will be 2 hours long and the link will remain available for bed hanging stitchers wishing to stitch with others between the organised sessions.

Check the schedule below for session Dates

Support The Gawthorpe Textile Collection

Now totalling over 30,000 items, The Gawthorpe Textile Collection is a registered charity with a team dedicated to fulfilling Rachel Kay Shuttleworth's vision - to teach, to support creativity and wellbeing, to promote employability, to preserve traditional craft skills, and to share knowledge, skills and expertise across cultures.

10% of every purchase of the bed hanging goes directly to supporting the Trust and the vital work it does to preserve this incredible legacy.

Support Session Dates

Your live support sessions with Harriet will take place on Zoom on Thursdays at 4-6pm UK time. A link will be supplied to you to use for the duration of the course. You may also use this link to stitch with others between sessions, at your own discretion.

Session 1 - 25 September 2025 - How to prepare for the arrival of your kit
Session 2 - 23 October 2025 - How to set up your frame and work space
Session 3 - 20 November 2025 - Start Stitching

CHRISTMAS BREAK

Session 4 - 22 January 2026 - Stitching & Open Q&A
Session 5 - 26 March 2026 - Stitching & Open Q&A

SPRING BREAK

Session 6 - 21 May 2026 - Stitching & Open Q&A
Session 7 - 23 July 2026 - Stitching & Open Q&A

SUMMER BREAK

Session 8 - 24 Sep 2026 - Stitching & Open Q&A
Session 9 - 19 November 2026 - Stitching & Open Q&A

Convert Your Time

Design Dimensions

The design itself is 183 H x 98cm W (72 x 38 ½ in).
The linen is 233 H x 160cm W (91 ½ x 62 ½ in).

What Size Frame Will I Need?

You will need a 63 inch (or larger) slate frame.

The linen you will receive will have an ample 31 cm (12 in.) border all around the design. We have chosen this width (which is the maximum our speciality linen is woven to) for two reasons: (a) the additional selvedge affords a superior area to apply the twill tape and (b) so stitchers have as much flexibility as possible when finishing their design.

You may choose to cut some of the additional width off your linen if, for example, you already own a smaller slate frame. However, if you intend to leave the full width of the linen in tact, you will need a 63 inch frame or larger.

If you have stitched The Muncaster Bed Hanging or The Glasgow Bedspread and your 70 inch frame will be suitable. If you have stitched the Georgian Bouquet and you own a 62 inch slate frame, you will just need to trim the selvedge slightly to fit your frame.

Delivery & Returns

Your kit will be delivered in two shipments. The first shipment, which will contain supplies for the first half of your design, will be sent in September 2025, in time for your first support session on 25 September. Your second package, which will contain supplies for the second half of your design, will be sent by June 2025.

Packages will be sent by express delivery and shipping is included in the price of your kit.

Unfortunately we cannot offer a refund on this kit once it has been shipped.

Our Materials Guarantee

This kit, as with all of our kits, comes with our materials guarantee. This means that should you run out of a wool (or should a furry friend eat it) we will supply you with a replacement.