There’s something magical about stitching a piece of history. Phoebe’s Vineyard, one of the exquisite designs featured in Crewelwork Then & Now by Phillipa Turnbull and Hazel Blomkamp, allows you to do just that.
Inspired by the incredible work of Phoebe Anna Traquair, this project is a chance to connect with a woman whose creativity and artistry left an indelible mark on the Arts & Crafts movement, yet who remains lesser-known compared to her male contemporaries.
Phoebe Anna Traquair: A Creative Trailblazer
Portrait of Phoebe Anna Traquair
Phoebe Anna Traquair (1852–1936) was born in Ireland and became one of Scotland’s most influential artists, working across painting, enamelwork, murals, and embroidery. She played a pivotal role in the Celtic Revival and the Arts & Crafts movement, blending traditional motifs with bold, expressive designs.
Her famous triptych, A Progress of a Soul, created between 1893 and 1901 and now on display at the National Museum of Scotland in Edinburgh, exemplifies her skill in storytelling through art.
Traquair’s work often draws comparisons to Gustav Klimt, not because she copied him, but because she anticipated many of the decorative motifs and use of colour that he would later popularize. Yet, while Klimt became a household name, Traquair’s contributions were often overlooked.
Celebrating her artistry today allows us to appreciate her role in shaping the Celtic Revival aesthetic, which embraced rich patterns, natural forms, and a connection to Irish heritage.
Stitching the Spirit of Phoebe’s Art
The Phoebe’s Vineyard design takes Traquair’s vibrant style and transforms it into a captivating embroidery project. The piece reflects her love of natural forms, with flowing vines, delicate flowers, and perching birds that guide the eye across the composition. Each stitch invites the embroiderer to play with blending, shading, and texture, echoing the depth and detail of Traquair’s original panels.
Like the triptych itself, the design has a storytelling element. The arrangement of birds and flora feels like a scene from a living garden, where each element interacts with the next, creating a sense of movement and life.
The challenge lies in capturing the subtle details, the veining of leaves, the layered plumage of the birds, and the contrast between foreground and background. It’s a design that encourages both skill development and creative expression, giving stitchers a hands-on connection to Traquair’s artistry.
Working on Phoebe’s Vineyard is more than completing a beautiful piece of embroidery, it’s an invitation to engage with history, to feel the craftsmanship of one of Scotland’s finest Arts & Crafts designers, and to bring a little of her bold, expressive world into your own home. Each stitch becomes a quiet homage to her creativity, blending tradition with the joy of personal interpretation.
Materials and Making
The materials pack for Phoebe’s Vineyard includes all the linen, crewel wools and needles needed to bring this design to life. The stitch charts and instructions are included in Crewelwork Then & Now, available separately on our website, making it easy to follow Phillipa’s guidance while experimenting with colour and texture in your own way.
Whether you’re a stitcher with a love for historic crewelwork or simply someone who appreciates beautiful design, Phoebe’s Vineyard is a project that delights, teaches, and connects you to a remarkable creative legacy.
