This April, during our Barcelona Retreat 2026, students will have the chance to stitch a beautiful design inspired by a treasure from the Terrassa Textile Museum: a late 19th-century original embroidery design by Casa Sivilla, hand-painted on paper with delicate floral motifs and butterflies.
Phillipa Turnbull has reimagined this elegant frame exclusively for the retreat, choosing her own colours inspired by the fresh, vibrant tones of Barcelona in spring, so each finished piece reflects both the historic design and her expert eye for harmony.
A Glimpse into Barcelona’s Textile Heritage
The original design, measuring 33.5 by 27 cm, comes from Casa Sivilla, a Barcelona workshop celebrated for its hand-crafted embroidery patterns. Their designs ranged from small floral motifs to larger framed compositions, some painted on paper, others accompanied by embroidered samples.
Alongside the work of Núria Alibés, Casa Sivilla represents the skill and creativity of a female-led artisan tradition, carefully preserved today by the museum’s conservators.
Above, you can see the original Casa Sivilla design alongside Phillipa’s contemporary interpretation.
Bringing History to Life
In the retreat class, Phillipa will guide you as you bring this historic frame to life. Her springtime-inspired colours add a fresh, contemporary touch, making each stitch your own. It’s a wonderful opportunity to connect with Barcelona’s rich embroidery heritage in a hands-on and creative way.
