I discovered that the Royal School of Needlework at Hampton Court Palace are putting on a fund-raising sale though Jessica Aldred’s blog. She is the RSN’s education co-ordinator, and says about the sale:
There will be dress patterns from the 1940′s onwards, embroidery tools, bags, purses, buttons, braids, lace, furniture and lots more! (I for one already have my beady eye on a vanity case).
The RSN is a charity and we recieve not a penny of government funding so all of the money raised will help keep the art of hand embroidery alive. Everything will be very reasonably priced, and not only is it an amazing chance to buy one off items but you will also get a sneaky peek of our Studios and the chance to meet some of my brilliant collegues (maybe even me!).
So don’t be a dingbat, come along to our sale with lots of wonga and who knows what you might go home with!
I am of course totally gutted to miss it as it sounds like just my cup of tea (dressmaking patterns? Antique lace?? My pulse is racing). But sadly it is not my weekend to visit my boy-friend in Surrey, and nipping up to Hampton Court is not so easy (or affordable) from here on the south coast! This is regretful, as a day spent wandering around the gardens and palace of Hampton Court feels very desirable after the mad week of late nights and early mornings I had with the play last week.
So if you are nearby and so inclined, do go along to the sale and pick up some gems (all in the name of charity, of course…). Just please don’t tell me what you’ve bought, or I might turn green with jealousy.
-Anushka
