A Mindful Embroidery Workshop inspired by Jane Austen (with a contemporary twist!)
With Artist, Embroiderer & Researcher Helen Sill

Step into Jane Austen’s world through the calming art of hand embroidery in this unique morning workshop.

We’ll begin with a guided tour of Jane Austen’s House. As part of a small group, enjoy the peace and quiet of the House before it opens to the public, as you walk in Jane Austen’s footsteps through rooms that she knew and loved. In each room, you’ll discover precious objects from Jane Austen’s life, from her father’s Mahogany bookcase and her sister Cassandra’s hand-stitched sampler, to the topaz crosses belonging to Jane and Cassandra, and first editions of Jane’s novels.

With plenty of opportunities to chat and ask questions along the way, this unique tour will transport you back in time to get a sense of Regency life and to experience the House in a new way.

At 10am we’ll adjourn to the Learning Centre for a gentle, mindful morning of embroidery led by inspiring local artist and embroiderer Helen Sill. Drawing on the flowers, herbs, and words of Jane Austen’s home, you’ll blend historical techniques with modern textiles to create your own embroidered sampler, inspired by spring!

 What You’ll Do:

• Stitch floral and herbal motifs inspired by the Regency cottage garden at Jane Austen’s House
• Incorporate quotes from her novels into your design
• Practice stitches like back, stem, satin, seed, split, and French knots
• Gain skills in fabric prep, thread choice, and finishing techniques
• Reflect, create, and unwind in a relaxed, mindful setting

Leave with a beautiful, in-progress piece—ready to finish as a botanical sampler, bag, journal insert, or wall hanging—with guidance and materials to continue at home.

 Why Join?

• A creative, calming connection to history
• A fresh take on Regency-era embroidery
• Led by Helen Sill, whose art and research bring Austen’s world to life through thread
• Open to all skill levels—materials included

Discover the joy of stitching in Austen’s footsteps.

About the tutor:

Helen Sill is an artist, researcher, tutor and textile traveller combining a love of drawing with textiles. She explores questions of identity through her art and stitch practice, creating images informed by drawings of her surroundings and connections between communities and cultures.

Helen is an Embroiderers’ Guild Graduate and Guild Scholar and recently completed a Masters Degree in Fine Art where her research interests were around making and community focusing on the rich textile traditions of Gujarat in North West India and the North East of England.

Past commissions have included work for West Dean Gardens, the Petersfield Museum and being Artist in Resident at Chichester Festival Theatre. Her work is held in private and public collections.

Her love of talking about and working with textiles is infectious and inspiring, and she teaches a range of hand stitch classes with recycling and upcycling at their core.

Details:
Date: Friday 1 May 2026
Time: 9am – 1pm
Location: This event is at Jane Austen’s House in Chawton. Find us
Tickets: £65

 This event includes refreshments, please let us know on booking if you have any dietary requirements.

 Tickets for this event include House entry for this day only. 

🌺 This event is part of our festival Spring Fling! running from 1 – 4 May 2026