“My hand delights to trace unusual things”

Our Spring/Summer 2024 exhibition showcases the work of award-winning graduate of the Royal School of Needlework Emily Barnett, whose degree project took inspiration from the gardens and collection at Chawton House. Her final showstopping piece comprises three beautifully embroidered panels, focusing on the Orchard and the Knight family cookbook, the Rose Garden and Elizabeth Blackwell’s Curious Herbal, and the Library Terrace and the women’s writing collection.

The items on display take the visitor through Emily’s creative process, whilst also setting her work alongside artwork and advice – unique scrapbooks, conduct literature and samplers – produced over two centuries before. Taken together, these pieces paint a picture of the ways in which artistic endeavour, from needlework and knitting to watercolour, has provided occupation, solace, community and skill to women from the eighteenth century to today.