I have been asked many times why I started this project and it all began many years ago when I saw a television programme about the Bayeux Tapestry. It seemed to me, with a new Millennium imminent that the time was ripe to create a new tapestry and the 20th Century seemed an obvious and exciting choice.
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 and to my surprise they thought it was a great idea. 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, advertising the project in various magazines, I at last had my starting groups. But there were issues yet to be confronted - the fabrics arrived either the wrong colour or damaged and I had failed to realise the amount of time it would take to prepare the panels, with the fabric having to be cut and over locked and the outlines of the fashion figures transferred. 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 other Millennium projects.
I found myself having to start once again begging to have items put into embroidery magazines. Fortunately in those days there were 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.
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 much they enjoyed the time spent on the embroidery or in some cases patchwork and lace making.
Lavinia
I've been asked to do an update on this site as it is rather out of date, at least on this page. The years since I wrote this have not been the best, with bereavement and illness within the family.
However, enough of gloom and doom, it has not all been bad and I can now say we have to find just another 15 groups. 85 panels have now been taken and I have had well over 50 returned completed.
At this point of time I do not have any exhibitions to take the project to, but I should have an article in 'Workbox' magazine in the near future. I have written to other magazines but having received no reply I must remember to chase them again.
Any suggestions for exhibiting the project I would be really happy to receive. Also if anyone has any contact with the Weekend Telegraph or Mail I would be most interested. Both papers have had articles about smaller projects and although I have written to both several times, I have not yet had a reply.
Sadly those who were hoping to work with Shirly Caddy will now be dissappointed as she has severe arthritis in her hands and will give up when the latest panel is completed. I do thank her for the time she has spent on her Panels.
I will post any more news about this project on the site as and when it occurs.
Lavinia
I'm sorry for the lack of news for the last couple of years unfortunately due to health and then a car accident.
Hopefuly I am now back on track , having updated some of the panels. I have been in touch with some of the magazines in the hope of some publicity as well as Womans Hour . I found it easier to get on a BBC chat show in Wales thanon English BBC although I am sure Womans Hour covers Wales.
As you can see from the date panel we only now need to get another 11 groups and I am hopeful that a group will be taking up a panel soon.
When going through photographs on discs I came across a couple of photo's from Alexander Palace many years ago, probably some of you may well have taken up your panel from this exhibition.
I will try to keep you more updated in the future,
Lavinia
Lavinia
April 14th 2017 (Good Friday),
I have not noticed how long ago it is since I updated the News Letter. It is not as if I have not let all my Embroiderers know what is going on. They are all kept in touch with my annual newsletter ,which I hope all of you who have worked on a panel get .
At the moment everything seems to be at a standstill, which is so frustrating because all I need to complete part one of the project is just 3more groups. The years are , 1989, 1996 and 1098. Last year when I reached this wonderful small groups required I was over the moon, But since then it has gone dead, not only have I had no luck with Advertising but I have not even had a letter or e- mail , not even a completed panel returned.
Speaking of completed panels we will soon be able to photograph the ones we have had back since last year, as we should be getting to the stage in the weather when it is not likely to snow and the sun is visible. Mind you it will still pour with rain and blow a gail, and alas the sun shine too bright for what is required.
Any if you reading this if you have connections with the medier, please do get in touch with me. I am happy to go on the radio, television , or write articles for newspapers, magazines etc, (about the project of course).
Although I have not been updating these Newsletters I have been updating the dates required ,
So please do your best with any adds you can help with, Also any groups you can rope in to do a panel, do tell them the feedback I have had from those who have done panels they have all enjoyed the experience.
Regards
Lavinia
DECEMBER 29TH 2017
We only need one more group to complete the project. If you want to do a panel the only one left is 1996. Like most years there is a great deal of information, look it up on google I am sure you will be surprised.
Lavinia
May 9th 2018
I am pleased to say all the panels have now been taken,
I would now like to have all the completed panels back , for photographing as well as to be checked that they can be hung. Thank you all for your hard work, We now look forward to progressing once I have those panels as well as those still being worked back
Lavinia
February 11th 2021.
What a horrid year last year was.Groups found it difficult to meet due to the horrid Virus, Although we were slightly less restricted during the Summer we soon found it was a mistake that we have had to pay for.
Although on paper all the panels were taken . I still have a lot to be returned. During the year I had quite a few returned uncompleted and some returned not started. but all of those have been worked by some wonderful groups.
I now have to write to those not returned yet and hope that they will be returned completed,
I always write an annual letter to all the groups usually at Christmas.This year Christmas being so dismal and the post office short staffed, I thought to do a New Years letter. But New Year seemed worse than Christ mas. Still if this Lockdown is successfull I wiil write one as soon as possible to all my clubs.
Lavinia
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