Life's rich tapestry

      Reading the V&A's Quilts book I'm struck by just how personal (more than in the obvious sense) many needlework projects are - they often relate to and reflect aspects of their makers' lives as well as being something beautiful and useful.

     A book which takes that to another level is The Girl on the Wall by Jean Baggott. You can see a short but moving clip of Jean talking about the extraordinary tapestry which represents her life and times, and which forms the background to her book, but I'm really looking forward to reading her story as well as enjoying it through her meticulous stitching - the narrative is in an entertaining, conversational style and sections of the tapestry form the illustrations which accompany the text..

 

   Seventy three interlocking circles worked over sixteen months record much of twentieth century history as well as times - both momentous and commonplace - in the life of a woman, a far from ordinary woman, it must be said, who now in her early seventies is in the final year of a degree in History at the University of Warwick.

Comments

[Jill]

What an achievement. It looks amazing. Perhaps we should all give this ago and record a year in our family's life. Something to look back on in future years.

[Darlene]

Thank you so much for bringing such a wonderful story to my attention, I am in awe!

[Fran]

Checked this book out from a link in your side bar last week and knew it was a "must have". I love the idea of making a record of ones life in stiches. Somewhere I have a design sketched out for a patchwork/applique quilt detailing the first ten years of married life...hmmm...we have our 13th anniversary coming up soon and there is no evidence I have begun. Perhaps reading this book will give me the push I need to get going.

[adele geras]

This has made my day! Thanks so much for posting that wonderful video clip!

[Karen]

Thank you so very much for this link. What a fascinating story. I'm definitely going to read this book!