Travelling is always inspiring, it gives you an insight on different worlds and lifestyles. You can meet something unique and come home changed for the better.
During my last trips I found by chance loads of inspiration for my crafts as well.
This is another wonderful inspiration I found in Scotland, at the Wallace Monument in Stirling. In 2017, embroiderers from across Scotland, all members of the Embroiderers’ Guild, took part in this collaborative artwork depicting the National Wallace Monument.
Twenty-three regions around Scotland took part in creating this stunning piece. In 8 months they produced 105 individual sections, all made with a different technique (including hand-stitching, machine work, applique, stumpwork and patchwork), which now make up the 1,8m finished wall hanging.
I found the final result breathtaking.
If you wish to see it, you can find it in the Keeper’s Lodge, a resting area on the ground floor of The National Wallace Monument, which was originally the living quarters of the Monument’s caretaker. The entrance to this room is free.
As I entered the Keeper’s Lodge in Summer 2018, I remained breathless in front of this spectacular embroidery.
The incredible particulars, the precision in the combination of all the parts, made by different people, with different techniques, in different places around the country… Amazing!
This had a great effect on me, it contributed to increasing my own passion for hand embroidery.
Moreover, I had the wonderful opportunity of getting acquainted (even though just virtually) with Jane Currie, Vice Chair of the Scottish Region of the Embroiderer’s Guild.
We met in the lovely embroiderer’s Facebook group founded by Mary Corbet, “Needle and Thread Community“: a place where stitchers from all over the world exchange tips, advices, artworks, news about the embroiderers’ world. A forum I enjoy a lot!
This is what she said to me about this artwork:
“Hello. Yes I was one of two ladies who initiated the project. It was a fabulous project to be involved in and just wonderful when all the little ‘bricks’ arrived daily by post, and evermore amazing when they all fitted together, butting in with their neighbour. I did a few of the bricks – those that were returned undone ! I also made the stumpwork figure of William Wallace – on this photograph you can just see the top of him and his sword, bottom right. I am so glad you like the piece and would recommend anyone in the area to go and see it.
The curator gave me a very large photograph of the Monument, which I cut up into 105 rectangles and gave each branch of the Embroiderers’ Guild in Scotland a pack with instructions, the mounting board and a deadline for returning the bricks. It was up to the individual how they embroidered the brick. Some are very simple, others a work of art. Stitching it all back together was not much fun especially the last few rows ! – it became very unwieldy.“
Thank you, Jane, for your words, for giving me the possibility to quote you on my blog, but most of all for the gorgeous work you did with all your fellow stitchers.
105
individual sections
8
months of work
1.8
meters tall
23
Scottish regions
