Gawthorpe Textiles Collection

21/10/2026

Travelling Bonnet, Prussia, c.1806–10

This finely worked silk and brocade bonnet is believed to have belonged to Queen Louise of Prussia (1776–1810), wife of King Frederick William III. Its blue-grey ribbons are decorated with cornflowers, associated with Prussia, while the upturned brim is finished with pleated lace and gold passementerie.

Louise was known for her influence on contemporary fashion, as well as her public role during Prussia’s conflict with Napoleon. Following Prussia’s defeat in 1806, Louise and the royal family fled east towards Russian protection. In 1807, she met Napoleon at Tilsit, where she attempted to negotiate more favourable terms for Prussia.

According to the story passed down with the object, Louise wore this bonnet during her flight and, after running out of jewels used to secure safe passage, gave it to a family who helped her reach safety. While this part of the bonnet’s history cannot be verified, it is a high-status object dating from the period, with a provenance that connects dress, political history and the life of Queen Louise.

Item 4029

Photo Credit: Jack Bolton
Photography copyright Gawthorpe Textiles Collection

21/10/2026

🧵✨ Inspiration in the Archives! ✨🧵

We were delighted to welcome our associates from The Crewel Work Company to Gawthorpe Textiles Collection as they explored our archives in search of inspiration for their next Crewelwork kit.

With so many beautiful and fascinating treasures to discover, we can’t wait to see which piece catches their eye and inspires their next creation! Watch this space! 🪡💛

20/10/2026

19/10/2026

✨A small bag with a rich story

Made from wool felt, metal thread and glass beads, this embroidered bag from the Balkans is thought to date from the late 19th or early 20th century.

Across the Balkans, textiles were often richly decorated for both practical and ceremonial use. Embroidered bags and pouches could combine hard-wearing wool or felt with sparkling metal thread and glass beads, creating objects that were useful as well as beautiful.

We don’t yet know exactly how this bag came to be in England. It may have been brought back by a traveller, purchased by a collector or dealer, or acquired through the growing British interest in Balkan dress and textiles during this period. Although there was commercial trade between Britain and the Balkans, it would be too much to say that this particular bag was definitely exported as part of a regular trade.

Its precise origin and journey remain a mystery, but its materials and decoration offer a glimpse into the textile traditions of southeastern Europe.

📷 From the Gawthorpe Textiles Collection
Photo Copyright of Gawthorpe Textiles Collection

19/10/2026

Join us TONIGHT on Zoom 7pm

15/10/2026

✨ Upcoming events at Gawthorpe Textiles Collection ✨

There’s always something creative happening at our studio at Northlight House in Brierfield! 🧵

From hands-on workshops and fascinating study visits to inspiring talks and more, our events are a lovely way to discover the Collection, meet fellow textile enthusiasts and get creative.

🎟️ Browse our upcoming events and book your place on Eventbrite:
https://shorturl.at/LkiGn

Want to be the first to hear about new events?

📩 Join our mailing list
📲 Follow us on social media
🎟️ Follow us on Eventbrite

Find all the details here:
https://shorturl.at/zI1yQ

We look forward to welcoming you! 💛

13/10/2026

Mola Christmas Angel Workshop 🎄🧵
Join us at Gawthorpe Textiles Collection, Northlight Estates, Brierfield, on Saturday 21 November, 10am–3pm, for a festive textiles workshop led by Bev Lamey.

You’ll explore the colourful world of Molas, pictorial blouses created by the Cuna women of the San Blas Islands of Panama, and learn the reverse appliqué technique used to make them.

After studying Molas from the Gawthorpe Textiles Collection and Bev’s own collection, you’ll create your own Mola Christmas angel, inspired by one of the Collection’s Molas featuring two musical angels: one playing a trumpet and the other a saxophone.

Bev will demonstrate every stage of the process, provide examples and guidance, and supply detailed written instructions. The stitching is simple, making this workshop suitable for all skill levels.

All materials are provided, although you’re welcome to bring your own sewing kit, including scissors and needles.

Bev has extensive experience teaching textiles and previously worked as Community Engagement Officer at Gawthorpe Textiles Collection. She was also Principal Lecturer in Fashion & Textiles at the University of Lancashire, where she led the MA Surface Pattern and Textiles course.

📅 Saturday 21 November
🕙 10am–3pm
📍 Gawthorpe Textiles Collection, Northlight Estates, Brierfield

Book Here: https://l1nq.com/wpzfvm3

Book your place and enjoy a festive day of textile inspiration, stitching and making. All income from our courses supports Gawthorpe Textiles Collection, helping us care for and share this important collection.

Photos Copyright of Gawthorpe Textiles Collection

11/10/2026

A look back at last Saturday’s study visit exploring trimmings and embellishments from Gawthorpe Textiles Collection.

Led by our Curator, Rachel Midgley, the session explored passementerie, beading, bindings, ruffles, flounces and applied embellishments, with the opportunity to study a selection of objects from the Collection up close.

Thank you to everyone who joined us for such an enjoyable session!

Our next event is an online talk exploring Goldwork embroidery. Visit our website or Eventbrite for further details and booking information.

Photography copyright Gawthorpe Textiles Collection

10/10/2026

✨ A vibrant example of 18th-century British silk weaving ✨

Dating from 1740–1780 , this yellow brocaded silk from the United Kingdom 🇬🇧 was probably intended as garment fabric, perhaps for a woman’s gown or a man’s coat or waistcoat .

The silk features a damask weave, creating a self-coloured background pattern beneath vibrant floral sprays 🌸 added through additional brocade weaving. Metallic threads ✨ further enhance the design, adding richness and detail to the bold yellow ground 💛.

The complex, multicoloured pattern and the use of difficult metallic threads demonstrate the skill of the specialist silk weaver who created it 🧵.

During the 18th century, Chinese design became highly fashionable across Europe, inspiring the decorative style known as Chinoiserie . At the same time, silk weaving grew into a significant British industry, helped by the arrival of Huguenot refugees from France, many of whom brought valuable silk-weaving skills with them.

This textile reflects both influences: European silk-weaving techniques combined with Chinoiserie-style motifs and a striking yellow shade reminiscent of the colours worn in the Chinese Imperial courts .

📅 Date: 1740–1780
🌍 Origin: United Kingdom
📏 Dimensions: W 51 cm × H 29 cm

📸 Photos Copyright of Gawthorpe Textiles Collection.