Two Birds & a Squirrel (2026)

Deborah Wilding
Advanced

A NEW opportunity to be taught by unleash your historic crewelwork potential with the 'Two Birds & a Squirrel' design course, which starts in 2026! Deborah Wilding & Phillipa Turnbull join up to lead this course, with Deborah providing most of the tuition and Phillipa most of the historic background through a series of lectures. Students will recreate stitches and colours from the 10th-20th century. 

The purpose of this course is to teach historic crewelwork stitches in a timeline, using a sampler of features in our ‘Two Birds and a Squirrel’ design in the CWC collection. Students will then translate these stitches into the full design ending with their own unique interpretation of the historic design.

Course begins in 13 June 2026
Design: 48.5 x 50 cm (19 x 19½ in)

12 Months (10 sessions plus 2 special lectures)

Crewel Work

£2,600.00
Two Birds & a Squirrel (2026)

A Timeline of Crewel Work

This course is inspired by Phillipa's desire to explore the creative limits of crewel work and to share its incredible history and qualities, as a textile art, with fellow embroiderers. Now passing on her crewel work mantle to Deborah Wilding, Phillipa hopes to inspire embroiderers to reach an advanced level in crewel work stitch and technique.

Students will gain confidence in committing their personal stitch and colour choices with a greater understanding of the use of colours in crewel work in a historical context, a new perspective on colour and stitch combinations, and a new sense of freedom with the needle.

The original antique crewel work, which will be the focus of this course, is a classic Arts & Crafts embroidery, but inspired by designs and colours from earlier eras.

As well as the two unusual birds and charming squirrel, the design features 14 floral motifs and an array of foliage elements - the perfect playground for the avid crewel worker.

About this course

Using two bespoke printed Samplers containing repeats of features within the main design, students will enjoy exploring new possibilities in colour and stitch. Working with these designs to play and experiment, and ultimately become comfortable with making brave design choices, students will finally produce their own unique Two Birds & a Squirrel crewel work heirloom.

  • The final outcome will be the creation of your own embroidered heirloom, just yours, to pass down to posterity.

  • Gained a profound sense of freedom with your needle and an ability to make your own colour and stitch choices

  • Gain confidence in your own designing and creativity

  • Learn all basic crewel work techniques, including extra decorative stitches.

  • Develop a new perspective on colour and stitch combinations with the freedom to experiment more on your own designs

  • Enjoy a group experience forming friendships with like-minded stitchers across the globe

Advanced

Prior Embroidery Experience is Required

This course is for those who have stitched a CWC kit or taken a Crewel Work course before (online, in-person, or on Zoom)

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Advanced

The Details

Class Dates

Classes take place on Saturdays at 2–4pm and 5–7pm (UK time)

13 June 2026:
Course Overview & Setting Up the Frame

11 July 2026:
Class: Braid Stitches from Stone
Lecture: Earliest Stitches on Egyptian, Greek, Roman and Early British Decoration

8 August 2026:
Class: Early Medieval & Bayeux Stitches
Lecture: Bayeaux Tapestry and Early Messaging Through Banners

12 September 2026:
Class: Gold & Silk embroidery stitches
Lecture: 13th, 15th, and 16th Century Design Colour & Use

10 October 2026:
Class: Fine Crewel Threads - Outline, Speckling, Holbein
Lecture: Early 17th Century Collections in the V&A and Other Museums

14 November 2026:
Class: Long & Short Stitch in Every Angle, Density & Shape
Lecture: Mid-Late 17th Century Crewel Work

Christmas Break

16 January 2027:
Class & Lecture: Stitches from the Scottish Collections

13 February 2027:
Class: Variation in Threads, Silk to Wool used during the 18th Century
Lecture: Sheep Breeds and Use of Different Wool Thread

6 March 2027:
Class: Laid & Couched Work
Lecture: Use of Laid & Couched Work in Historic Collections

10 April 2027:
Class: Arts & Crafts Techniques.
Lecture: May Morris & the Influence of the 'Monied Classes'

July 2027 (date TBC) – Follow Up

The Kit

🔹 100 skeins of wool in numerical order in the base of the box
🔹 A "Two Birds and a Squirrel" printed linen
🔹 Two Sampler printed linens
🔹 Needles
🔹 A3 Blank stitch and colour charts
🔹 Curved tip crewel work scissors
🔹 A set of colouring pencils

In addition, you will receive a top up package with more wools of your choice and some silks to add the final touches to your design!

What's Included

Tuition with Deborah Wilding & Lectures with Phillipa Turnbull

In this unique and exciting course, Deborah and Phillipa share their knowledge of design, stitch, and colour - guiding you as you evolve your own crewel creativity:

  • Over 10 sessions, Deborah will guide you to create your own unique stitched design
  • During each class, Phillipa will deliver a shot lecture covering the historic background of the topic
  • Learn how to chart and keep track of your choices
  • Between classes you can ask questions and share your progress on the exclusive community space
  • All classes are recorded with lifetime access to give you all the support you need on your stitching journey

An abundance of choice

During this course, Deborah will guide you through creating 3 unique embroideries. In May 2026 you will receive your kit, which will include everything you need for the course. Then in June you will begin monthly classes, during which Deborah will guide you through design and stitch principles.

Stitching alongside Deborah, you will use two Sampler pieces to experiment with stitch and colour combinations before committing your choices to the final Two Birds & a Squirrel design.

As you would expect in a course focused on choice and colour - the package of this kit contains an abundance of wool!

  • All threads, beads & needles including 100 skeins of Appletons 2-ply crewel wool and a top-up package halfway through the course
  • Linen pre-printed with final design
  • 2 large printed sampler linens
  • Blank stitch and colour charts to capture your choices
“The quality of the materials and the live classes is astounding. Worth every penny. It feels like you are creating an heirloom.”

Create your own unique heirloom that you can treasure forever.

Starts: Jun 13, 2026

Meet Your Tutor

Deborah Wilding

Professional Embroidery tutor and Fellow of the RSN

United Kingdom 🇬🇧

Deborah Wilding is a distinguished embroidery artist. With a background in fine arts, Deborah has developed a keen eye for detail and a deep appreciation for the natural world, which is reflected in her exquisite embroidery designs.
Learn More About Deborah Wilding

You might be wondering

What size is the design?

Linen pre-printed with final design measuring 70 x 70 cm (27½ x 27½ in). Actual design size is 48.5 x 50 cm (19 x 19½ in). The course also includes two samplers measuring 65 x 30 cm (25 x 13¾ in) printed on 85 x 50 cm (33½ x 19½ in.) fabric.

What stitches are featured in the design?

In this unique course, all stitch choices are yours to make!

What else will I need?

For the main design, you will be using a slate 24 inch frame (up to 30 inch will be fine). You could also use a 10 inch hoop if you prefer it.

For the samplers, an 8" hoop would be recommended since it provides better tension. You can use it with a barrel clamp or paddle base.

How long will it take me?

This course takes place over 10 months with time to stitch between each session. You are not expected to have finished your design by the time the course ends but you may find that you are very nearly there!

How do I join the live classes?

All classes will take place on Zoom, which can be accessed directly from your dashboard. A link to the session will also be sent to you before the class.

Delivery & Returns

Packages will be sent by express delivery and shipping is included. Please note that packages will be shipped a month before the start of this course. You will not receive a kit immediately.

You may cancel your place up to 6 months before the start of the course. Unfortunately after that time, we cannot refund your payment.