Looking through the Archives.

I was wondering what to write about this week when I was overcome by nostalgia, hence the look through the archives, not just of work but also of people remembered. When I see a ‘new’ technique demonstrated or read about one, I often think of a former tutor of mine. I think how much she would have enjoyed the process or, very often, that she showed me the same technique years ago.

 That person is Val Campbell-Harding, who died some years ago and who wrote what many will still consider to be the bible for machine embroidery, ‘Machine Embroidery, Stitch Techniques’; unfortunately mostly  in black and white. Just think what she could have produced with the current wonderful close up full colour photographs. 

Those of you who remember her will I am sure agree that she was not the easiest of tutors in many ways, but she had the sure knack of pointing to an aspect of work which one had done and knowing that that was the bit that you should pursue. I just felt like remembering her today and taking a look through my archives, and marvelling at the patience I had at the time.