Staircase House

Staircase House

Staircase House is a Grade 2 listed property in central Stockport destined for collapse until, following a severe fire in 1995, funds were raised to allow its restoration.  

Furnishing the house included the commission of a grand tester bed which, of course, required bed hangings in the style of the 16th century.  In 2005 local volunteers were asked to help to embroider the hangings - over 50 volunteers turned up to the first meeting, from beginners to experienced teachers, which enabled several projects to be started.  The group took the name: Staircase Stitchers.  You can read a little more about them here:  http://www.stockportheritagetrust.co.uk/stitchers.html

The motifs on the bed hangings are slips.  A slip is a design usually stitched in canvaswork, cut out and applied to a woven background.  This meant that all the volunteers could contribute and their names are indeed stitched at the foot of the hangings.

Beautiful work, beautifully made.  Oh, to have been involved.....

Other projects in the house are this fabulous stumpwork mirror and sampler:

We are very fortunate to have this house and embroideries to hand - if you haven't already visited, please do so!
When I posted this I had no idea that our member Belinda Rodway had actually stitched one of the slips on the bed hangings - I hadn't spotted her name at the foot of the hangings.  Well done Belinda!