Groovy and Green

I'm an embroiderer and cross stitcher and always looking for new techniques and stitches. I recently became aware of the embroiderer Constance Howard who worked in the 1930s.


Constance Howard established the department of Embroidery in the Art School at Goldsmith's College, London. She became a lecturer in charge of textiles and fashion, embroidery was something she taught her students for a subject for Diploma in Art & Design.


When she retired from Goldsmith's in 1975 she received an MBE for her services to embroidery. She eventually became an examiner and teacher at the Embroiderers' Guild headquarters and did tours in the United States and Canada.


Constance was a standout for her embroidery skills but her physical appearance also made her a standout. She was a small woman who dyed her hair bright green using 1930's lithographer's ink. In the articles below, you can read more about this extraordinary woman who was well ahead of her time.


At Sublime Stitching...A Found Piece of History: Or the Little Needlework Teacher with Green Hair 

At The Embroiderer's Guild...Tribute to Constance Howard MBE ARCA FSDC, 1910-2000

At BoingBoing...Groovy Green-Haired Embroidery Artist of the 1930s, Constance Howard

If you love her work and you find a book by her at a good price pick it up. Books written by her aren't east to find. The classic work by her is, The Constance Howard Book of Stitches and it starts on Amazon at $1049.40.