Touch of Gold by Lucy Barter

At Inspirations we love hearing about new things happening in the world of needlework. From discovering new designers, seeing a twist on a traditional technique or just taking an existing idea and making it your own, there is strong spirit of invention within the stitching community.

‘Touch of Gold’ by Lucy Barter – Inspirations #99

Several years ago an ambitious plan was hatched to start a brand new needlework and design studio in the heart of one of the world’s most creative and eccentric cities. A place voted by Bloomberg Businessweek as America’s Best City – San Francisco.

Lucy Barter and Ellice Sperber started the San Francisco School of Needlework and Design in 2015 as a non-profit organization committed to preserving and promoting the traditions of hand embroidery.

Ellice Sperber and Lucy Barter, Co-Founders San Francisco School of Needlework & Design (SNAD)

Their goal is to inspire the next generation of hand-embroidery artisans by building on traditional knowledge with updated skillsets.

Some of the Inspirations team had the privilege of visiting Lucy, Ellice and the SNAD gang at the school in San Francisco, where we experienced first-hand their passion, enthusiasm and the impact they are having on the city. Located right in the very heart of Union Square, the school is so contemporary they encourage local business people to come in for a stitch-n-chat during their lunch break.

When the opportunity arose to feature a project in Inspirations Magazine designed and stitched by Lucy, we saw it as a wonderful way to celebrate both Lucy’s accomplished skills as a talented teacher and needle artisan in her own right, plus raise awareness of their wonderful new school.

‘Touch of Gold’ is delightful floral study worked in goldwork and stumpwork. The stylised floral image incorporates several metal thread techniques to create a variety of surfaces and finishes with the design bordered by a fine, couched gold line.

Lucy shares with us a little of her back story for this stunning design:

‘The inspiration for ‘A Touch of Gold’ came from a French printed textile design dating from 1797 (see below left). I felt the design lent itself well to metal thread work, needlepainting, and stumpwork techniques. The colours also worked well for Autumn, which is the time of year I taught it.’

Lucy is a graduate of the Royal School of Needlework Apprenticeship Programme and holds a BA Honors Degree in Fashion Design from the University of Northumbria. She regularly teaches at SNAD and loves traditional embroidery techniques.

Lucy demonstrating needlework at a SNAD community event

For more information about the San Francisco School of Needlework & Design’s including upcoming classes and events, check out their website HERE.

Make Your Own Touch of Gold

Step 1 – Purchase Project Instructions

Touch of Gold by Lucy Barter is a delightful floral study using goldwork and stumpwork techniques.

Step 2 – Purchase Ready-To-Stitch Kit

The Inspirations Ready-To-Stitch kit for Touch of Gold includes everything you need to re-create this beautiful floral design: Fabrics (unprinted), felt, paper-covered wire, cotton string, fusible webbing, embroidery threads, metal threads and needles.