I’ve managed to catch up with many of my other projects, now I can concentrate on the Bayeux.
I try to put in six or seven hours a day of work, but I’m not doing the 4.00 am starts because it’s winter. I prefer doing that in summer. The days are so short and the nights are too long.
So now I start at 7.00 am and work through the day allowing time for other projects in the evening.
There are so many stages to work through.
- First was to complete the drawings. I went to great pains to get them accurate, sometimes drawing a scene three of four times.
- They are now stored in a very safe place because I’ve finished using them.
- There were years of preparing the applique. I took a scene at a time. Sometimes it was a group of soldiers, a battle, a horse or a ship at a time.
- The applique is fused onto the entire length of the quilt.
- There are thirty-seven ships on the Tapestry. Each one is around 24″ long.
- There are six hundred and twenty-six people, thirty-five dogs, and five hundred and six other animals, one hundred and ninety horses, thirty-five buildings, and thirty-seven trees or groups of trees, with 57 Latin inscriptions.
- So everything is done in order, and I’m now finishing the applique and then on to the quilting. Yes, I have kept track of every applique piece I’ve placed down. Every needle change, every thread change, and their colour codes.
- As you can imagine, it’s in different stages.
The applique is done with a very tiny blanket stitch. On the first quilt, I used a satin stitch, but I find with the blanket stitch I don’t end up with a hard edge on the applique. It’s almost invisible.
Once the applique is finished, I illustrate the applique with pigment ink and pigment pencil for the faces.
Then it is quilted.
Yes, it’s an appliqué quilt, but it’s dimensional and your eyes wander along the length drawing you into the story.
This is such an awesome journey that you are taking. I think it is outstanding, awesome, and thought-provoking. I wish I had your discipline to begin projects and stay the course as you have. This piece is monumental. Good luck to you on your continuation with this completion. I think it is sooooooo beautiful!!
This is truly a modern view of history completed through quilting. I believe you were chosen for the Herculean task. Stay the course!
Thank you so much, there is a history, that has defined it’s destiny. I’ll share it one day.
This is such an exciting project, and I look forward to the day when your masterpiece is revealed in its entirety. I can’t imagine how you can manage such a huge and complex project with the busy life/schedule that you have. I wish you great success and good health!
This is just fantastic. I was fortunate enough to see parts of your quilt in Albuquerque. I can’t wait to see the final masterpiece. Stay well in these trying times.
A wonderful project Pam. I hope I’ll get to see it one day. In the meantime I’m enjoying your posts.
Your applique on the Bayeau quilt is so intricate and draws the eye in. Can’t wait to see the finished quilt I am sure it will blow our minds.
Thanks Fran, it’s been a long time coming.