Somerset Stitch

15/10/2026

My collection of vintage passamenterie braids is growing, with many thanks to Tilly 'D' for wonderful new additions. It's fascinating to examine these incredible woven braids, and fun to think how they can be used in the 21st century. The trend for household decor is moving to 'cosy' this winter, and my introduction to passementerie as part of a Heritage Craft Escape in Dunster next week is perfect timing. :)

11/10/2026

Picture perfect passementerie in delightful Dunster Castle and Watermill. The first castle I ever saw as a child, it continues to wow me and offer up new fabulous finds :)

07/10/2026

03/10/2026

A new passementerie cushion - a very pleasing combo of beautiful woven braid and sumptuous silk :)

23/09/2026

Happy results from an easy afternoon repurposing zips, inspired by my favourite London trimming shop - VV Rouleaux. Old metal zips are a bit of a challenge to find these days, but well worth the effort for this delightful Rose Brooch make. :)

23/09/2026

Entering through an unassuming door in the heart of Rome 9 years ago, focussed my passion for passamenterie in an instant. The treasure trove of ornamental interior trimmings I found inside made by 'Passart' took my breath away, and initiated a learning jouney that has endured the years since. A term that encapsulates a wide range of ornamental textile trimmings, 'passamenterie' is on the Heritage Craft list of 'endangered' crafts, and I feel privileged to be doing my bit to promote historical textile crafts that have been made for centuries. Do come and start your own passementerie journey, and much more this Autumn in the atmospheric village of Dunster - a jewel in Somerset's heritage crown.

19/09/2026

After nurturing my home grown indigo (Persicaria Tinctoria) through the intense Summer heat, today I finally took my first cut for a little salt rubbing on silk. Using only a 1 to 1 ratio of leaf to silk, I achieved a very satisfactory blue from the first rubbing, and a softer tone from my second rub. While a significantly less intense blue after oxidation than vat dipped, this method is by far the easiest method to release indigo into textile.

17/09/2026

I love looking at the heart of medieval shopping in Dunster! The 'Yarn Market' was built at the top of the High Street to protect wool merchants from the elements. I can only imagine the chatter as sales were struck, lubricated by their drinks of choice - spiced w**e or strong ale! Wool 'serge' in primary colours would have draped over the ledges, dyed with madder (red), sphagnum moss (yellow) and woad (blue) - dyeing of cloth led to the local River Avill being brightly coloured more often than not! Dunster has a long crafting history and many tales to tell and I feel very excited to be immersing myself in its many offerings with my creative colleagues Quilliance and JanesBooksnBindings at the nearby Yarn Market Hotel for a Heritage Craft Escape next month :)