In Esther´s account, we get a glimpse of the hard work that goes into the sewing bee´s latest project…
This is an update on the progress of the frontal which was last shared in mid-2022 when the sewing bee was just beginning to get together in person after the years of Covid lockdown.
The design for the frontal had at long last been finalised and the individual motifs for the embroideries, all based on plants, fruits and flowers to be found in the Palace Gardens, had been drawn up ready to be taken by the individual embroiderers.
We had a lovely afternoon, when we were joined by the Merton U3A Creative Textiles Group who were introduced to us by Julie Mills, one of our learning volunteers. The motifs were all looked at and everyone picked one that they were drawn to and would enjoy sewing. They were given either a piece of the green fabric or the cream brocade that had been chosen, after much deliberation, to make up the frontal. Everyone was encouraged to use their own stitches and imaginations. The only constraint was the final size of the embroidery. We all worked at home on our embroideries and gathered together every month at the sewing bee to review our progress, get new ideas and encouragement from our fellow stitchers.
We now began cogitating what, after all this time, was supposed to be the final design. We realised the green diaper pattern was not going to hang well, so a redesign was called for. A simpler design emerged, the diaper pattern being retained in the application of the tree embroideries on the cream damask.
We had saved one of the motifs, the bay leaf and blossom, to be embroidered by anyone who wanted to contribute a stitch. In August great fun was had at a presentation in the great hall when all and sundry were encouraged to add a stitch. Over the months many more stitches were added and a display at apple day attracted many people, young and old to add their stitch. Those of you who joined in will be able to admire your efforts when we finally finish and hang the frontal!
By the autumn, most of the embroideries had been finished and we were now faced with the task of putting the whole thing together. Little did we know what a mammoth job this was going to be!
More measurement and then more measurement, more cutting of the fabric, more working out how to attach the embroideries, and then how we were to hang the whole thing. There were numerous trips to the chapel to find out how the original frontals were made and hung. This was all going to take some time and involve a team of people. Someone had the bright idea that we should have a week in which we could work continuously and not have to put the frontal away after each session.
We were very fortunate that we were allowed to use the Porteus Library for this. Tables and lights were installed, and we brought over our sewing machine, iron, measuring implements, sewing tackle from the stables and were ready to start. The library was open to the public during all this time and we had a continuous stream of visitors to show what we were doing. Their interest and enthusiasm for the project was very gratifying. Over the months, our one week grew into several and we needed to change venue into the Terrick drawing room, once the new Bishop of London, colonialism and transatlantic slavery: resistance exhibition opened.
The frontal is now almost finished. It has been wonderful how many people have contributed their enthusiasm and different talents to this project. We can only hope that in the future, all this will be enjoyed and appreciated by visitors to the Palace. I hope that we have given a 21st century gift to the Palace and its chapel
Esther Dean
July 2023
Esther Dean, author of this blog and member of the sewing bee
Sue Shocket, a member of the sewing bee