Description

To celebrate the return of the Bayeux Tapestry to England for the first time in nearly 1,000 years, the Royal School of Needlework has created three exclusive embroidery kits for the British Museum. Inspired by iconic scenes from this extraordinary 11^th Century medieval masterpiece, these limited edition kits are the perfect keepsake for embroidery enthusiasts, history lovers, and visitors to this once-in-a-lifetime exhibition.

The tapestry tells the story of the Norman conquest of England by William, the Duke of Normandy, at the Battle of Hastings in 1066.

Harold’s Hound embroidery kit is inspired by two scenes from the Bayeux Tapestry. The hound is based on hunting dogs accompanying Earl Harold on his journey to Bosham, while the foliage comes from a tree in Scene 11. Large, intertwined trees are a recurring feature that frame the tapestry’s narrative branches have been adapted to curve gracefully above the hunting hound.

The kit is worked on a closely woven cream linen chosen to reflect the appearance of the original Bayeux Tapestry fabric. Four shades of 100% British crewel wool are included: green, yellow, terracotta and indigo.

Stitches you will use:

Bayeux Stitch

Split Stitch

Stem Stitch

Chain Stitch

 The kit includes:

Instruction Booklet

Linen with printed design

4 x Appleton’s crewel wools

6 inch hoop

Number 22 chenille needles

(You will need embroidery scissors)

Designed by Marg Dier.

Warning: This kit contains a sharp needle, keep away from small children.

Image Courtesy of the Bayeux Museum.

About the British Museum

Founded in 1753, the British Museum was the first national public museum in the world. The collection tells the stories of cultures across the world, from the dawn of human history, over two million years ago, to the present. Objects range from the earliest tools made by humans and remarkable finds from the ancient world to more recent acquisitions from Africa, Oceania and the Americas, the Middle East, Asia and Europe, as well as the national collections of prints and drawings, and coins and medals.