Bayeux tapestry

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Sojourner
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Bayeux tapestry

Post by Sojourner »

Image

Salou chart, worked on 32ct natural evenweave.
This is half of the pattern, another ship plus crew etc to do.
Huge amount of backstitch outlining, takes as long as the cross stitch!
WIP: Van Gogh "Fishing Boats", Another Bayeux scene
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Mabel Figworthy
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Re: Bayeux tapestry

Post by Mabel Figworthy »

Looking forward to seeing this - unfortunately the picture doesn't show up for me :-( , it says it's been removed or is unavailable
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Re: Bayeux tapestry

Post by rcperryls »

Mabel Figworthy wrote: Sun Oct 06, 2019 3:32 pm Looking forward to seeing this - unfortunately the picture doesn't show up for me :-( , it says it's been removed or is unavailable
Same here. Did you move it to a different section? I would love to see it.

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Re: Bayeux tapestry

Post by Sojourner »

Try again, must have pressed the wrong button (not unusual given my PC skills.. :cry: )
ImageImageImage
Haha, now 3 for the price of one, but I'd better leave them now :lol:
WIP: Van Gogh "Fishing Boats", Another Bayeux scene
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fccs
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Re: Bayeux tapestry

Post by fccs »

Wow. That is amazing!!!
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Re: Bayeux tapestry

Post by rcperryls »

fccs wrote: Mon Oct 07, 2019 2:36 am Wow. That is amazing!!!
Absolutely true!!!

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Sojourner
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Re: Bayeux tapestry

Post by Sojourner »

Thank you -it's been a labour of love, despite all the backstitching.... :)
I like to sew something which tells a story, as my Camino de Santiago band, and the Bayeux fits that bill. I've never seen the original, but an exact copy was made by a group of needleworkers in Leek, Staffordshire in the 1880's, on display at Reading museum, and that is brilliant.
Near the top of my bucket list is a visit to Bayeux, and (dream on) to recreate the entire tapestry/embroidery in cross stitch. To this end I've just ordered the remaining 2 charts available from Sajou - I have a very nice book with colour plates of the whole thing, so will try to make up my own charts once I've finished those 2 (and the current half-done scene) This is fast becoming an obsession, and all other embroidery is on hold.....
Glutton for punishment...…
But the beauty is, only 7 colours, as the original, so no problems with confetti. At first I found the chart quite hard to follow, as it's in colour - I've been used to Cross stitch Collectibles charts with symbols for the colours, and crossing off in pencil as I go. But after a while it's quite easy to follow.
So this thread could likely go on for years :whoop:

And, as the majority of the original 11th C embroiderers were men, I could maybe join them somewhere over the DMC rainbow :wink:
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Mabel Figworthy
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Re: Bayeux tapestry

Post by Mabel Figworthy »

If I were going in for stereotypes, I'd say "of course men embroidered the Bayeux tapestry, it's all about war" :-) - fortunately we can all, men and women, embroider exactly what we like now!
Seriously, this is a great set of projects, and good luck with filling in the gaps yourself - you'll need a separate room to display it all in though...
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Sojourner
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Re: Bayeux tapestry

Post by Sojourner »

I'd need to take over both neighbours bungalows, even at 1/3rd scale.
However, apart from the warring aspect, I do feel a connection with those poor men - and women - slaving away at their slate bed frames, men of course being on a higher daily rate. Plus ca change. As I feel a connection with those early pilgrims on the Camino, pretty much contemporaneous with the Battle of Hastings. And, indeed,despite Brexit, supporting the enemy, buying Sajou charts and Dollfus Meig et Cie threads, as you do. :) As one does
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fccs
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Re: Bayeux tapestry

Post by fccs »

Wow, I love your plans. As for backstitching, it’s not my favorite thing, either, so I do it as I go. The effect and detail it brings out, however, are worth it. I still don’t always look forward to it.
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Serinde
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Re: Bayeux tapestry

Post by Serinde »

This is a labour of love, and looks marvellous.

With my historian's hat on, however, I must correct a misapprehension: although the Tapestry was commissioned by a man (most probably Odo of Bayeux) and may very well have been designed by men, it was embroidered by women (tho not Queen Matilda and her household), even if under the watchful eye of a single master. There is almost no doubt about this, because Anglo-Saxon embroidery was done by women almost exclusively, whether within ecclesiastical orders or as lay people, and from a queen right down to her servants. Domesday Book has instances where women had been given hides of land in return for teaching needlework skills to daughters, such was its importance. This situation does change gradually after the Conquest (along with so much else), and by the 13th century and later, Guilds are dominated by men. Weaving cloth, construction of clothing and embroidering it for one's family and household was previously the job of all the women in any noble establishment. Generalising madly, once these skilled operations move out of higher-ranking households, it becomes a case of follow the money, and men dominate the new "profession".
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Re: Bayeux tapestry

Post by richardandtracy »

Sojourner, what you have done so far looks really quite incredible. I have never really seen a colour rendition of the tapestry, having only got a copy of a book about it by Hilaire [?] Bellock from the early 1900's where they had monochrome images of it or internet close-ups which don't give a good impression of each panel.

Serinde - how could you be so cruel as to smash my delusions about who stitched the tapestry? :wink: Not that it really matters nearly a millennia after the event. Superb work whichever gender did it.

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Serinde
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Re: Bayeux tapestry

Post by Serinde »

Sorry 'bout that, Richard. However, this is the book you want. I know, I know. But they can occasionally be found second hand. The illustrations are superb.
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Re: Bayeux tapestry

Post by richardandtracy »

Yes, that is a book I want. However.. unless someone does an accidental and massive discount, it's one I'll have to resign myself to not having.
The alternative, also by Carole Hicks, (https://www.amazon.co.uk/gp/product/B00 ... taft_p1_i1) might be worth getting, and a second hand one at £4.35 looks very affordable.

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luv2craft2
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Re: Bayeux tapestry

Post by luv2craft2 »

Really beautiful :applesauce: :applesauce:
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Mabel Figworthy
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Re: Bayeux tapestry

Post by Mabel Figworthy »

Thanks for that link Richard - I've just treated myself to a second-hand copy!
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Garnet
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Re: Bayeux tapestry

Post by Garnet »

What an excellent piece of work, your stitches are so neat :applesauce: :applesauce: :applesauce:

You will certainly have plenty to stitch if you decide to keep on stitching the whole masterpiece.

Well done indeed
Sojourner
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Re: Bayeux tapestry

Post by Sojourner »

Image

Progress. Loads more back stitching to do, plus crew of the first boat and remainder of the borders. Target finish Xmas :wip:
WIP: Van Gogh "Fishing Boats", Another Bayeux scene
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Mabel Figworthy
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Re: Bayeux tapestry

Post by Mabel Figworthy »

Progress indeed! :applesauce: :applesauce: Don't you just love the men with their bare legs carrying the dogs (sorry, hounds) on board :-) ?
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