I went to see the British copy of the tapestry in Reading museum and I was interested in how it was stitched, especially the filled in horses etc. this video is so clear and useful and has helped me understand how the stitching is done. Thank you
I'm so pleased about this. I was hoping that being able to see both sides of the stitch would add extra insight into how they're made, so this is great to hear!
A front AND back view? And history? I have to subscribe! I know you said there’s a variety of ways for finishing thread on the tapisserie de Bayeux, was it the same for starting? Did they use knots?
Ha ha! You’ve been sucked into the world of early medieval embroidery and there’s no escape now. Starting threads always seems to have been with a knot. I’ve only managed to study some areas so far, but all of these are the same.
So pleased you like the demo'. Funny you should ask about the stitch being used in the Middle Ages. I've done video about the stitch and included examples of it being used later: ruclips.net/video/6BbkYfoO2sI/видео.html An American friend has been looking into this and she's found a lot of examples where its worked in silk or silk and gold thread. Some can be seen on pieces in the V&A, so check out their online catalogue. Also Schuette's The Art of Embroidery and a Dutch book, Middeleeuwse Borduurkunst uit de Nederlanden. I think Tanya Bentham has a book about this stitch coming out soon too. Happy embroidery hunting
What a great video. I'm going to try this technique to stitch an image of friends that I do Living History with, sort of as a family foto. Hope all goes well. Now, one question: is it better to do the outlines before or after the laid/couch work?
Sorry it’s taken so long to reply. This sounds like a great project. If you’re following BT ‘protocol’ it will be outlined first and sliding the needle under it at 45 degrees when you do the filling. However, if you don’t feel confident/ comfortable with that, you can always do the filling first. There are sections like this on the original too. Sorry, that wasn’t not much help really was it.
@@EarlyMedievalEmbroidery Thanks for the answer! I went ahead with the project and figured that I'll put down the outlines first and then work around them, seems like that was a good idea and not as much of a hassle as I feared. I now have to fill in a few more outlines (shoes, legs and the likes) and then add a decorative border, potentially with a few griffins or something like that and it'll be done. I'm really happy with the outcome, it's not perfect, but it was a lot of fun and it turned out great for a first attempt. The only thing I kinda regret is not getting higher-quality wool. I should have gone with a naturally-dyed one, that would have been much nicer looking, but oh well. It was also very educational. I knew the technique was quick and efficient, but it's mind-blowing to see how much area you can cover with such little thread. Just goes to show, the artists and artisans, that came up with that technique, really knew their craft!
Thanks for your question. It’s taken me a while to reply because I’ve been working out the best way of describing the answer in words. There is no definite answer. It often depends on the motif you’re filling in. On the BT you see quite long spaces, along the planks of a shop for example, being filled in with the longest length of thread. On other areas, the space is broken up into smaller areas. So I’d suggest you experiment and try different lengths, going with what you think ‘feels right’ for you and your work. I’m sorry I can’t be of more help but it’s impossible to give an exact measurement. I’m going to start work on the filling of my BT re-creation project next, the video should be out in the next week or so, and I’ll talk it through while working the stitch. Maybe it will help to watch that…
I have a copy of the Bayeux Broderie booklet that describes the length of the stitches as being 'no further than 4 to 5 cm' but there is no indication of how wide the work should be. Can you help please? Alan
Hi Alan, Right... I don't have this book but going from what you've said, I would suggest the 'no further than 4 to 5 cm' refers to the second layer of stitching, as you see it being worked on the video our comments are 'attached' to. The base layer, the one that covers the whole of the ground fabric, can be quite long. For instance, I was just telling someone that the central section of 'wooden planks' of the boats are all one length. While these stitches may splay outwards as you insert enough to cover the ground fabric, the second layer of stitching will pull them back into place and the third layer anchors them all down, effectively flattening them so they don't bulge. If you go to: www.bayeuxmuseum.com/la-tapisserie-de-bayeux/decouvrir-la-tapisserie-de-bayeux/explorer-la-tapisserie-de-bayeux-en-ligne/ you can zoom in on different sections of the hanging and see how long the stitches are, which may also help. I hope this has helped but feel free to come back and ask more questions etc. I'll do what I can to help. Good luck with it!
Thank you for your comment. I’m sorry you couldn’t see the detail. I recorded this with my old camera, which wasn’t as good as the one I’ve got now. I had realised this so I’m in the process of re-recording some of these earlier videos in HD and 4K.
Such a good idea to show the back and the front at the same time.
Thank you ☺️. I’m so glad you enjoyed the video and found it interesting.
Thank you for taking the time to teach this stitch.
Not a problem I’m so pleased you’ve found it useful / helpful
I went to see the British copy of the tapestry in Reading museum and I was interested in how it was stitched, especially the filled in horses etc. this video is so clear and useful and has helped me understand how the stitching is done. Thank you
That's wonderful to hear, and I'm so pleased. I need to see the version at Reading still (shh, don't tell anyone I've not seen it yet😉)
Thanks for this, it's so useful to be able to see the front and back being worked at once!
I'm so pleased about this. I was hoping that being able to see both sides of the stitch would add extra insight into how they're made, so this is great to hear!
this is exactly what my pattern called for and your tutorial is great! Now i can finish my project in confidence. Thank you.
Thank you! That's great to hear. Here's to your kit
Very helpful tutorial.
Fab! I'm glad it was helpful
A front AND back view? And history? I have to subscribe! I know you said there’s a variety of ways for finishing thread on the tapisserie de Bayeux, was it the same for starting? Did they use knots?
Ha ha! You’ve been sucked into the world of early medieval embroidery and there’s no escape now.
Starting threads always seems to have been with a knot. I’ve only managed to study some areas so far, but all of these are the same.
Thanks for this! Question: Do we have any other examples of this stitch being used in the middle ages, or is it only known in the Bayeux Tapestry?
So pleased you like the demo'.
Funny you should ask about the stitch being used in the Middle Ages. I've done video about the stitch and included examples of it being used later: ruclips.net/video/6BbkYfoO2sI/видео.html
An American friend has been looking into this and she's found a lot of examples where its worked in silk or silk and gold thread. Some can be seen on pieces in the V&A, so check out their online catalogue. Also Schuette's The Art of Embroidery and a Dutch book, Middeleeuwse Borduurkunst uit de Nederlanden. I think Tanya Bentham has a book about this stitch coming out soon too.
Happy embroidery hunting
What a great video.
I'm going to try this technique to stitch an image of friends that I do Living History with, sort of as a family foto. Hope all goes well.
Now, one question: is it better to do the outlines before or after the laid/couch work?
Sorry it’s taken so long to reply.
This sounds like a great project.
If you’re following BT ‘protocol’ it will be outlined first and sliding the needle under it at 45 degrees when you do the filling. However, if you don’t feel confident/ comfortable with that, you can always do the filling first. There are sections like this on the original too.
Sorry, that wasn’t not much help really was it.
@@EarlyMedievalEmbroidery Thanks for the answer!
I went ahead with the project and figured that I'll put down the outlines first and then work around them, seems like that was a good idea and not as much of a hassle as I feared.
I now have to fill in a few more outlines (shoes, legs and the likes) and then add a decorative border, potentially with a few griffins or something like that and it'll be done.
I'm really happy with the outcome, it's not perfect, but it was a lot of fun and it turned out great for a first attempt.
The only thing I kinda regret is not getting higher-quality wool. I should have gone with a naturally-dyed one, that would have been much nicer looking, but oh well.
It was also very educational. I knew the technique was quick and efficient, but it's mind-blowing to see how much area you can cover with such little thread.
Just goes to show, the artists and artisans, that came up with that technique, really knew their craft!
Oh, I’m pleased it’s worked out. 🧵🪡
My first attempt using some wool and pattern from Bayeux itself was nothing like this think I may another go good job I bought 4 different kits
Ooh. It can be hard to get your head round. I hope your next attempt goes better, and that this video helps 🤞
Ma'am, can you please tell me how long the stitch can be.
Thanks for your question. It’s taken me a while to reply because I’ve been working out the best way of describing the answer in words.
There is no definite answer. It often depends on the motif you’re filling in. On the BT you see quite long spaces, along the planks of a shop for example, being filled in with the longest length of thread. On other areas, the space is broken up into smaller areas. So I’d suggest you experiment and try different lengths, going with what you think ‘feels right’ for you and your work. I’m sorry I can’t be of more help but it’s impossible to give an exact measurement. I’m going to start work on the filling of my BT re-creation project next, the video should be out in the next week or so, and I’ll talk it through while working the stitch. Maybe it will help to watch that…
@@EarlyMedievalEmbroidery Oh thank you
I’ve just put the latest video live. It focuses on this stitch and I try to explain lengths. I hope it helps a bit more than my previous answer 🤞
I have a copy of the Bayeux Broderie booklet that describes the length of the stitches as being 'no further than 4 to 5 cm' but there is no indication of how wide the work should be. Can you help please? Alan
Hi Alan,
Right... I don't have this book but going from what you've said, I would suggest the 'no further than 4 to 5 cm' refers to the second layer of stitching, as you see it being worked on the video our comments are 'attached' to. The base layer, the one that covers the whole of the ground fabric, can be quite long. For instance, I was just telling someone that the central section of 'wooden planks' of the boats are all one length. While these stitches may splay outwards as you insert enough to cover the ground fabric, the second layer of stitching will pull them back into place and the third layer anchors them all down, effectively flattening them so they don't bulge. If you go to: www.bayeuxmuseum.com/la-tapisserie-de-bayeux/decouvrir-la-tapisserie-de-bayeux/explorer-la-tapisserie-de-bayeux-en-ligne/ you can zoom in on different sections of the hanging and see how long the stitches are, which may also help. I hope this has helped but feel free to come back and ask more questions etc. I'll do what I can to help. Good luck with it!
Thanks for the reply and information. Alan
@@EarlyMedievalEmbroidery
@@alanstainsby86 no problem 🙂
Dommage que la vidéo soit de mauvaise qualité, on ne voit pas grand chose
Thank you for your comment. I’m sorry you couldn’t see the detail. I recorded this with my old camera, which wasn’t as good as the one I’ve got now. I had realised this so I’m in the process of re-recording some of these earlier videos in HD and 4K.