Fragment of a Dress at Bronte Parsonage Museum

Textile artist Hannah Lamb, Programme Leader for the Textiles Practice Foundation Degree at Bradford School of Art, asked her students to help with the intricate needlework for an unusual commission.

Says Hannah: “I was approached by the Bronte Parsonage to create an interactive artwork to accompany the current exhibition, Defying Expectations: Inside Charlotte Bronte’s Wardrobe.’ The artwork will sit alongside this show in the Servants Room at the Parsonage.

Students carefully rendered the handwritten stories in embroidery, building up the words stitch by stitch

“Because of the scale of the project I devised, I realised I couldn’t handle the volume of embroidery needed so I decided to see if any of my students would be prepared to help. I am both a part-time lecturer at Bradford College and a professional artist, so this project has beautifully married both of my roles!”

A project called ‘Fragment of a Dress’ involved museum visitors writing a few words about an item of clothing significant to them. The responses included poignant personal stories of loss, healing and connection.

Students at work on 'Fragment of a Dress'

Over two weeks students carefully rendered the handwritten stories in embroidery, building up the words stitch by stitch. Each piece has been worked on transparent silk organza and put together in the style of a dress that Charlotte Brontë might have recognised.

The Foundation Degree in Textiles Practice at Bradford College develops technical skills in mixed media, stitch and constructed textiles, as well as focussing on researching ideas and developing original designs. The part-time course is designed for people from non-traditional learning routes and learners who need to organise study flexibly around other commitments.

Adds Hannah: “I was bowled over to find that lots of my students were super keen to get involved. I think it’s given them a real insight into how professional artists work, and they have all been excited to have a hand in making the finished piece. This has been such a lovely, positive collaboration.”

The work has been very intricate

Sassy Holmes, Programme Officer at Brontë Parsonage Museum, says: “Hannah has created a nostalgic and moving piece of art, that tells the story of how important clothes are to us.

Fragment of a Dress has so many layers - much like when we dress ourselves! Her installation is a combination of many people’s memories through their wardrobe. It is also the coming together of talented embroiderers at the Bradford School of Art.

“The sharing and collaboration in the making of the installation is just as beautiful as Hannah’s finished work, and we can’t wait for visitors to come and see.”

Fragment of a Dress is on show at the Brontë Parsonage Museum until December 31 alongside the current exhibition, Defying Expectations: Inside Charlotte Brontë’s Wardrobe.

The exhibition features more than 20 pieces of Charlotte Brontë’s clothing and accessories and offers an intimate insight into both her domestic and literary lives.