As we near completion …
A few months into 2024, Hundred Heroines has already seen a buzz in activity as the Great Train Tapestry nears its completion. Many events have taken place which we are excited to share!
January saw another brilliant appliqué workshop delivered by costumier Katie Taylor, where participants were taught the fundamentals of the technique and had the opportunity to create panels for inclusion in the tapestry. The creativity of the participants, paired with Katie’s expert advice, made for the creation of inventive, thought-provoking panels.
During January, Hundred Heroines also oversaw community visits to the V&A in London. These trips reinforced the research which underpins the narratives woven into the Great Train Tapestry. During these trips, members of the Gloucestershire community were invited to come and meet new friends, learn all about the Great Train Tapestry, and derive inspiration from the textiles and tapestries on display. We all took the train from various stations in Gloucestershire and convened in London Paddington.
The artefacts we observed at the V&A included examples of textile traditions from all over the world, spanning 5000 years of human creativity. The tapestries on display were plentiful, intricate, often vast in size, and the result of expert artisanship and many hours of labour. Participants gained an insight into the techniques that went into such objects, and the stories and symbolism they had the capacity to convey. One of the highlights was seeing the Prison Embroideries – textiles embroidered by Mary Queen of Scots that contained a secret code. Another highlight of the trip included a visit to the V&A’s photography collection; this included images which explore narratives also featuring heavily in the Great Train Tapestry. There were also numerous 19th-century photographs of locomotives on display!
One attendee of the V&A trip said: “I had a good time with good company and got so many inspirations for my art practice too. Thank you Hundred Heroines, all the ladies and Harriet for organising this”.
We are now working on Phase III of the tapestry’s construction: the conjoining stage. We have amassed all the panels which have been created by members of the community. These panels are a testament to the makers’ imaginations, displaying a variety of narratives and textile techniques.
The team members at Hundred Heroines have also collaborated to produce a written publication in conjunction with the Great Train Tapestry. This coffee table book contains short written pieces which will provide more insight into each of the main narratives explored in the tapestry.
