I do have an excuse though - every spare minute is currently spent stitching a panel of The Great Tapestry of Scotland, and I've not spent anything like as much time on the computer as I usually do (which is no bad thing!).
To find out more about the tapestry you'd be best to follow the link to scotlandstapestry.com as there's lots of info on the official website. It tells the story of Scotland in 163 hand stitched panels - everything from the formation of the land 300 million years ago, through standing stones, the Black Death, many battles and monarchs, the Forth Bridge, ship building on the Clyde, right up to Dolly the Sheep and the Scottish Parliament (and much, much more).
It's a very exciting project to be involved with. I love the thought that people will be visiting the tapestry for hundreds, maybe thousands of years. At 160m + it'll be more than twice as long as the Bayeux Tapestry!
My panel is no.155, The Steamie, depicting a woman doing her washing. Tony Roper's hilarious play 'The Steamie' set in a 1950's Glasgow steamie (public wash house) is a hugely popular draw for theatres all over Scotland and will ensure that this slice of social history is never forgotten!
At 1 metre x 50cms I'm very happy to be sharing the work with a local lady, Gail, who I'd never met before. Seemingly we were the only people in this area who volunteered to help with the stitching, so we were paired up.
Ready to go - the panel stretched nice and taut on a frame and wool in various colours.
Now where to start...
The first stitch!
The outlines are to be a prominent feature of the entire tapestry.
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Starting on the dress. I've worked this in split stitch using two shades of purple together in the needle.
Gail and I have agreed to swap over every couple of weeks, and although I missed having Jessie around for a fortnight, it was lovely to see her back again carrying a beautifully stitched basket!
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I've now completed her sleeve and given it a textured appearance so that her clothes aren't too flat looking. I've also started work on her apron. Our guidance notes suggested that her apron may be soaking wet so I'm using two shades of wool, blended where they meet each other, to give this impression.
Hopefully I'll be able to get a bit more of the apron done before handing her over to Gail again.
It's really interesting to see this in progress, it's looking great!
ReplyDeleteThank you, it's a fabulous thing to be working on.
DeleteK x
this looks great! I can't wait to get started on my panel, cumbernauld - but apparently it's still being designed!
ReplyDeleteI hope you enjoy stitching it as much am I'm loving mine!
DeleteOOh Kate - how exciting to be part of such a monumental piece of cultural heritage. Its great to be able to share your panel with a partner to provide support encouragement and inspiration for each other and to share the exciting moments - it must give you renewed enthusiasm.. anticipating Jessie's return after her break.
ReplyDeleteYour stitching is fabulous - love the colours and textures - how patient you must be - and talented.
Looking forward to seeing more of Jessie - might even see her in person when she tours the country!!
Keep up the amazzing work.
Ali x
Thanks Ali xx
DeleteYou are a constant source of amazement to me. Is there no end to your talents? The texture you have added just by choice of stitch, wonderful. And using different shades of wool for depth or indicating wet fabrics! Artistry with a needle instead of a brush. I can't wait to see Jessie finished .
ReplyDeleteShucks! What a lovely thing to say! I really don't know how to reply to that...
DeleteK x
I love the way you've done the flowers on her dress! It looks so amazing. And very impressed you are tackling a panel between just 2 of you! I am in a group of 12 and am now thinking we are a bit slow... Anyway I just posted an update on my blog and included a link to this post :)
ReplyDeleteOurs is actually a half panel, which is plenty for the two of us!
DeleteWe haven't started work on the border yet, but I've done some sketches of a few ideas. It's exciting to be able to have some input into the design.
Many thanks for the link :)
K x
Your panel is beautiful, thank you for sharing it! We've nearly finished the outlining, but are starting to wonder about different stitches to use. I love the stitch you've used for the sleeves of Jessie's dress: what is it? Sorry to be so ignorant... but I'm learning a lot! Also the plaited basket is very effective? What is that stich?
ReplyDeleteHave a look at our panel here - just outlines so far! http://wp.me/pfG8R-xo
Hi Lucy and thanks for leaving a comment. Your panel's a great one to do - such a significant period in history. I look forward to seeing it progress. Good luck with it!
DeleteI don't know the 'proper' name for the stitch I used for the sleeve. It's rows of slanted stitches with a small running stitch along the lines where they join. I tried a different technique at first, but after two days of frustration I gave up and unpicked everything! I found it very hard to stitch at an angle that doesn't fit in with the warp and weft of the fabric. In the end I ran lines of tacking stitches to keep my lines of slanted stitches straight. I hope that makes sense!
The basket is stitched in chain stitch.
Gail has now stitched most of the contents of the basket and they look amazing. There's a photo on my Starfish Studio Facebook page if you want a peek!
Kate x
Thanks for the explanation... we may well use something like it!
DeleteThe chain stitch is really effective too.
I'm off to have a quick look at the latest photo...
Happy stitching!
Lucy
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ReplyDelete