Newsletter

I have been asked many times why I started this project, it all began many years ago when I saw a program on television about the Bijoux tapestry. The English claimed it was worked by them the French also claimed it was their workmanship both seemed to think it was worked by Nuns, but why not by Monks?. I thought it was about time we started another large project about the 20th Century which was probably one of the most News-worthy of the last Millennium.

After thinking about it for well over a year, I decided I had to do something about it. So I wrote to Coats Crafts UK, to ask if they would sponsor me for the fabric, to my surprise they thought it was a great idea and after several meetings with the Directors it was agreed providing I could get 15 groups to start the project.

After what seemed to be an eternity I at last had my starting groups, these were from advertising the project in various magazines. Then the problems started, the fabrics arrived either the wrong co lour or damaged, then when I did have them the fabric had to be cut and over locked and transferred with the fashion figures. This all took well over a year from the time the groups had said they wanted to be involved. Then to my horror apart from three groups all declined mainly because they had started Millennium projects.

I then had to start once more begging to have items put into embroidery magazines, fortunately in those days there was a few more Embroidery and stitching magazines about than there are today, but even so it is difficult to keep pestering for space. It took nearly 2 years to get back to my original 15 groups.

There have been many highs and lows in the following years but we now have 68 groups either working on panels, over 30 of which have been completed and returned to me. when I was in Harrogate in November 2010 I said I only required another 30 groups but on reflection I had not taken into account 2 panels that had been returned in the past year, one unstarted the group had mixed up the date and I replaced it with the correct one, and other started but returned due to circumstances beyond her control.

I do hope you or your group will find this project of interest and may take on a panel or have a go at working with Shirley Caddy. All the groups who have worked on panels have said how happy they were doing it enjoying the Embroidery or in some cases Patchwork and Lace making.

Lavinia