Sixty Iowa women will begin learning the fine points of embroidery from one of the world’s sewing experts today. The principal of England’s Royal School of Needlework is teaching three master’s classes in Perry this week, passing along a skill which dates back nearly a thousand years.Elizabeth Elvin is teaching the Iowans “natural silk shading” or a way to paint with the needle as well as the use of precious metals in embroidery work. Elvin says silver and gold thread can be very expensive to use but it brings a luxurious final product.Thread that is a percentage pure gold is usually reserved for projects like the coronation robes for England’s kings & queens, which are made at Elvin’s school in Surrey. Elvin has had a hand in many large projects, embroideries, church vestments and tapestries measuring many yards across.Elvin’s school teaches both male and female pupils, often ranging in age from 17 to 25, though she realizes needlework is often thought of as something reserved only for older women.
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