ONL25321 The Lewis Chessman Flower – NEW
£228.00
These online evening classes will introduce you to the motifs carved onto the reverse of the 93 Lewis Chessman pieces, which date to the late 12th or early 13th century. You will stitch a flower wrapping in and around a frame worked in colours inspired by those of the original pieces. Using ‘authentic’ materials – hand woven linen ground fabric made to the specification of the original, hand and naturally dyed wool threads and a handmade bronze needle based on early medieval finds – you will learn stitches that used to create early medieval embroidery (450-1100 CE).
All the outlines and detail lines are worked in single rows of stem stitch, while the frame itself is infilled with split stitch. The stem and leaves are filled with chain stitch while the small bands are embroidered in satin stitch. The centre of the flower is filled with laid and couched.
This design is an amalgamation of motifs found on a number of different pieces including a king and queen. The dark outlines mimic the darker carved lines of the figures while the orange-brown and creams invoke the different colours highlighted by different carved areas and the original walrus ivory. As we work through this approximately 11cm x 9cm motif, we will have chance to talk about Alex’s work researching early medieval embroidery and its wider context within society.
Alex has always loved the Lewis Chessmen pieces, ever since she first saw them when she visited the British Museum while she was living in London for the RSN's apprenticeship.She found their characters delightful and intriguing, and the way they have been carved so skillful. She didn't know about the patterns on their backs for a long time but once she saw that they included flowers, plants and interlace motifs she wanted to turn them into an embroidery design. Alex wasn't sure what colours to use but decided that she liked the tones of the original carvings,and wanted to incorporate them into the piece. Wool threads on a linen ground fabric were chosen to echo the age in which the pieces were made.
Your kit will include handwoven linen material with the design printed onto it, hand and naturally dyed 2-ply lambswool threads, handmade bronze needle and full colour instructions.
The first two sessions will take place online between 7:00 and 9:00pm GMT and the final, hour summary session will run between 7:00 and 8:00pm GMT.
The class kit will be posted out to you. Your kit includes all the materials required to complete this design. The only additional items you will need are a 6” hoop, a pair embroidery scissors and it would be useful to have a pencil and paper in case you wish to take extra notes.
The kit includes handwoven linen material with the design printed onto it, hand and naturally dyed 2-ply lambswool threads, handmade bronze needle and full colour instructions.
Warning: Not suitable for small children, kit contains sharp objects.
You can explore many more stitches on the RSN Stitch Bank.
Your Zoom Link
The Zoom link for this online class will be included in your order confirmation email. If you do not receive it, please check your junk mail to see if it is there and if you still do not have it then please email [email protected].
Class Recording
This class will be recorded via zoom, and you will be provided with access to this recording for a period of 30 days from the end of the class. The recording will be deleted after this.
Our online class recording policy can be found here
By attending this class you give your consent for the class to be recorded.
Please note that this is an online class. Please click here to view important joining information about online classes.
Please note that the cost includes the necessary kit and tracked postage.24
The class will run from 7pm - 9pm on 10 & 17 March and 7pm - 8pm on 24 March 2025
Attendees Outside the UK
This class will run from 7pm – 9pm (19:00 – 21:00) UK local time. If you are outside of the UK please check your local time, particularly if your location changes to/from Daylight Savings Time on a different schedule to the UK during October/November and March/April. To check and convert times please visit TimeAndDate.com. We cannot be held responsible for incorrect time attendance. Thank you
Image Credit: The British Museum
These online evening classes will introduce you to the motifs carved onto the reverse of the 93 Lewis Chessman pieces, which date to the late 12th or early 13th century. You will stitch a flower wrapping in and around a frame worked in colours inspired by those of the original pieces. Using ‘authentic’ materials – hand woven linen ground fabric made to the specification of the original, hand and naturally dyed wool threads and a handmade bronze needle based on early medieval finds – you will learn stitches that used to create early medieval embroidery (450-1100 CE).
All the outlines and detail lines are worked in single rows of stem stitch, while the frame itself is infilled with split stitch. The stem and leaves are filled with chain stitch while the small bands are embroidered in satin stitch. The centre of the flower is filled with laid and couched.
This design is an amalgamation of motifs found on a number of different pieces including a king and queen. The dark outlines mimic the darker carved lines of the figures while the orange-brown and creams invoke the different colours highlighted by different carved areas and the original walrus ivory. As we work through this approximately 11cm x 9cm motif, we will have chance to talk about Alex’s work researching early medieval embroidery and its wider context within society.
Alex has always loved the Lewis Chessmen pieces, ever since she first saw them when she visited the British Museum while she was living in London for the RSN’s apprenticeship.She found their characters delightful and intriguing, and the way they have been carved so skillful. She didn’t know about the patterns on their backs for a long time but once she saw that they included flowers, plants and interlace motifs she wanted to turn them into an embroidery design. Alex wasn’t sure what colours to use but decided that she liked the tones of the original carvings,and wanted to incorporate them into the piece. Wool threads on a linen ground fabric were chosen to echo the age in which the pieces were made.
Your kit will include handwoven linen material with the design printed onto it, hand and naturally dyed 2-ply lambswool threads, handmade bronze needle and full colour instructions.
The first two sessions will take place online between 7:00 and 9:00pm GMT and the final, hour summary session will run between 7:00 and 8:00pm GMT.
The class kit will be posted out to you. Your kit includes all the materials required to complete this design. The only additional items you will need are a 6” hoop, a pair embroidery scissors and it would be useful to have a pencil and paper in case you wish to take extra notes.
The kit includes handwoven linen material with the design printed onto it, hand and naturally dyed 2-ply lambswool threads, handmade bronze needle and full colour instructions.
Warning: Not suitable for small children, kit contains sharp objects.
You can explore many more stitches on the RSN Stitch Bank.
Your Zoom Link
The Zoom link for this online class will be included in your order confirmation email. If you do not receive it, please check your junk mail to see if it is there and if you still do not have it then please email [email protected].
Class Recording
This class will be recorded via zoom, and you will be provided with access to this recording for a period of 30 days from the end of the class. The recording will be deleted after this.
Our online class recording policy can be found here
By attending this class you give your consent for the class to be recorded.
Please note that this is an online class. Please click here to view important joining information about online classes.
Please note that the cost includes the necessary kit and tracked postage.24
The class will run from 7pm – 9pm on 10 & 17 March and 7pm – 8pm on 24 March 2025
Attendees Outside the UK
This class will run from 7pm – 9pm (19:00 – 21:00) UK local time. If you are outside of the UK please check your local time, particularly if your location changes to/from Daylight Savings Time on a different schedule to the UK during October/November and March/April. To check and convert times please visit TimeAndDate.com. We cannot be held responsible for incorrect time attendance. Thank you
Image Credit: The British Museum
Booking
6 in stock
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