Goldwork Embroidery Retreat – The Perfect Pin Cushion

“This Easter, I decided to really challenge myself and booked onto a Golden Hinde residential retreat at Wistanstow Hall, near Crewe. The setting was beautiful, an old country house with comfortable accommodation, wonderful home-cooked food, and a relaxed atmosphere that immediately put everyone at ease. One thing I particularly appreciated was the unrestricted access to the workroom. It meant I could sew late into the evening, work at my own pace, and immerse myself fully in the project.

Our task for the retreat was to create an exquisite decorative pincushion. To be clear, I could never actually put a pin in it! The design was inspired by a feature found on the alabaster pillow supporting the Countess of Cumberland’s head on her tomb cover.

What drew me to the project most, however, was the challenge it presented.

The pincushion was elegant and refined – stitched onto cream silk, delicate in scale, and beautifully detailed with elements of stumpwork. It had a quiet sophistication to it that I immediately loved.

And then there were the tassels.

I do love a tassel – who doesn’t? There were four of them, each made entirely from scratch using beautiful Delica beads. Delicas are incredibly precise and highly polished, so they catch the light wonderfully and bring a real sense of luxury to any project.

So why was this such a challenge for me?

Quite simply, it was completely outside my usual style.

Those who know my work will understand that my comfort zone tends to be far more organic and whimsical. This design demanded accuracy and discipline. It involved couched straight lines using crimped broad plate, T71 jap, check thread, and brickwork couching worked in a contrasting colour – meaning every tiny inaccuracy would immediately show.

The project also incorporated passing thread 4, a fine and beautiful thread couched in expanding curves beneath the stumpwork flower. Although stunning, these precise and structured techniques are not naturally where I feel most comfortable.

That, ultimately, was what made the project so rewarding. I returned home, completed sewing it all together and decided to make it even more personal; I stuffed it using fur collected from our beloved cat, who passed away last year.

I was also incredibly fortunate to spend the retreat in the company of six other lovely ladies, several of whom I had met on previous retreats and already formed friendships with. We were of mixed abilities, but all guided expertly by the exceptionally talented Sarah Rakestraw of Golden Hinde.

I cannot praise Sarah highly enough. Her technical skill with the needle is extraordinary, but just as importantly, she is generous with her knowledge, endlessly patient, and genuinely encouraging. There were plenty of demonstrations throughout the retreat, and she would happily repeat techniques individually to ensure everyone could complete the design to the best of their ability.

More than anything, though, the retreat reminded me how special the stitching community can be. I thoroughly enjoyed spending time with what I affectionately call the “sisterhood of stitchers”. I have already booked onto another retreat next year and look forward to keeping in touch with the wonderful ladies I met there.

It was simply a lovely experience – one I would wholeheartedly recommend.”

Caroline Allen – The Perfect Pincushion Retreat attendee 

Picture below Caroline’s completed pin cushion