The Big Stitch was a Huge Success

The Big Stitch was a huge success! Crowds of visitors queued outside the Ashmolean waiting for the event to begin and continued to gather around the demonstrators long after it was expected to end. The workshops and talks proved very popular, as did Mr X Stitch and the World’s Longest Embroidery. Further proof of the day’s success was the number of people who joined in with the crowd stitch and the smiling faces of our younger visitors who spent some time at the Family Drop-in Activity making Simple Stitches.

© The Ashmolean Museum

Oxford Branch would like to thank everyone who took part in the day. This is what some of you had to say about The Big Stitch.

It was a superior and high quality event, so brilliant to see the Ashmolean filled to the gunnels with enthusiastic people thronging to all the demonstrations, workshops, talks etc! I attended the excellent Japanese Pocket Book workshop whilst my daughter attended the talk by Jean Littlejohn, which she LOVED! She felt the talk was very inspiring and that Jean's work and ideas encouraged her to develop some projects pursuing similar interests. She was particular taken with the concept of (re)using a variety of materials to achieve quite stunning results (e.g. the fingers from rubber/plastic gloves used in a bracelet/cuff design). Overall we both loved the day and in particular she said she felt the best part about it was feeling involved, as being a part of the event gave her a fantastic feeling of inclusion and shared interest with so many others. In particular it left her with sense of stimulation to be involved in future events!
Margaret and Madeleine (aged 13) Craig

Brilliant day. Demonstrating to really interested people was amazing. The cafe was so busy they ran out of teapots!
Kate Medcraft

We had a lovely time yesterday. We were buzzing! I'm so pleased that the day was such a success and that the Ashmolean were given the opportunity to revise their view on "embroiderers". Thank you so much for including us and for making such a great job of organising things. I thought your stand was brilliant; looks like you've got a lively branch in Oxford.
Sue Robinson, Aylesbury Branch

A wonderful variety of skills from friendly women sharing their enjoyment and knowledge. I had a great time. Many thanks to all involved.
Jane Buckly

© The Ashmolean Museum

It was really a wonderful day. I was fascinated to meet ladies who had come to Oxford by coach from Brighton and Worthing and some from London too. The demonstrators were outstanding. So professional. Well done.
Maureen Ergeneli

It was a really good day and thoroughly enjoyed by all of us from the Newbury Guild. The lectures were good, we went to 2, and the demonstrators were great, really covering all topics! In fact we could have been there longer as we didn't manage to get to everyone.
A member of Newbury branch

I thought it was a fantastic day and everyone I met seemed to be really enjoying themselves and pleased to have an extra special stitch event to attend. I certainly had a great time and also had an excellent demonstration space in which to work, not to mention the fabulous surroundings.
Jo Smith, Embroiderers’ Guild Scholar

Everyone who came round was so interested and enthusiastic – a most enjoyable day.
Pam Blackley-Goble

© The Ashmolean Museum

The atmosphere in the Museum was amazing. Both while demonstrating and while watching other demonstrations, I was aware of a continuous buzz of excitement and enthusiasm. The only disappointment for me was that I could not be everywhere and take part in everything!
Carol-Anne Conway