Bayeux Tapestry Recreation Project Design Approach

Here’s the second update for my latest challenge, Recreating part of the Bayeux Tapestry using original materials and techniques. In this video I share the results of my research into colour and how its used in the Tapestry, and share my thinking about how we'll be using it in the project. I also talk about the design, why I chose certain motifs, blowing it up to actual size and resulting changes.
Videos mentioned:
Bayeux Tapestry Recreation Project Overview: • Bayeux Tapestry Recrea...
Bayeux Tapestry Recreation Project First Update: • Bayeux Tapestry Recrea...
Bayeux Tapestry Recreation Project Overview: • Bayeux Tapestry Recrea...
BBC4 Mysteries of the Bayeux Tapestry: www.bbc.co.uk/programmes/m001...
Books mentioned:
Bouet, P., B. Levy & F. Neveux (eds.), The Bayeux Tapestry: embroidering the facts of history (2004).
Henderson, A. & G.R. Owen-Crocker (eds.), Making Sense of the Bayeux Tapestry: readings and reworkings (2016).
Lemagnen, S., La Tapisserie de Bayeux (2015).
Wilson, D.M., The Bayeux Tapestry (1985).
Picture Credits: Unless otherwise stated, all images are ©Alexandra Makin. All Bayeux Tapestry images: City of Bayeux. Old English Hexateuch Manuscript: www.bl.uk/collection-items/ol.... Initial T: MS Arundel 91, London, British Library; www.bl.uk/catalogues/illumina....
Dr Alexandra Makin Early Medieval Embroidery Professional Embroiderer Textile Archaeologist #bayeuxstitch #bayeuxtapestry #embroidery #alexandramakin

[@allonewordcaps]

This is so exciting. I am looking forward to you transferring the image on to the linen. I am so interested how they used to do it (if we know) and how you plan on doing it. I love the colors.

[@EarlyMedievalEmbroidery]

Ha ha! So am I. I'm hoping to get this next stage on the go and recorded over the next week or so, so keep an eye out.

[@lauraberlage7091]

So exciting, please keep us posted. Just found your chanel and really appreciate all your research. I am gearing up to teach wool embroidery and have always loved its medieval roots. Thank you for sharing your passion :) ~Laura Berlage, Erindale Tapestry Studio

[@EarlyMedievalEmbroidery]

Hi, I'm so pleased you like the channel. I have to admit, I'm a bit obsessed so I love it when I find someone similarly minded. I hope your teaching goes well!

[@cerwelt]

Clearly as with all embroidery, preparation is half the journey. I too noticed in my reading of books about the BT, the story and hypothesis about the meaning behind it is what seems to be the focus. There is very little on the actual embroidery and techniques used. Looking forward to your journey and summations on the actual embroidering of it. Success.

[@EarlyMedievalEmbroidery]

Yes, you're right. That's what I found when I started researching it for my PhD. At first I was thinking - Help! There's so much published on this piece. But when I started investigating, I found there was very little on the actual embroidery and techniques. That was exciting because I knew then that I could add to its story.

[@cerwelt]

@@EarlyMedievalEmbroidery I’m guessing the writers (men) are more focused on the story than the execution of the piece. I love all the hypotheses behind the telling of the story, because I love history, but as an embroiderer and a Bible scribe the actual execution is equally important.

[@joannateague5354]

Great update. I am working on a recreation of a non functional item and have been trying to find some writing on how the we learn from the process. I really enjoyed The Embodied Turn by by Hilary Davison and the idea of sensory archeology but wondered if you had any other ideas of who has been writing about this area.

[@EarlyMedievalEmbroidery]

Ooh, this is a fab' question and complicated to answer. I've written about sensory archaeology in textiles, and so has Susanna Harris. These are all journal articles. A more general archaeological perspective can be found is the fab' Archaeology and the Senses by Yannis Hamilakis. There are edited volumes (can be expensive) Making Senses of the Past, Jo Day (ed), and The Routledge Handbook of Sensory Archaeology. There are others but I can't think of them off the top of my head. You then go into sub disciplines and periods. I know more about the early medieval period and there are quite a few volumes coming or already out. They tackle it in different ways depending on the focus - material culture, art, language etc. Also, you then have say, the historical focus on art and links through that sort of thing. There area also articles that don't think of themselves as sensory archaeology but can be quite useful. Look up journals with sensory in the title. You sometimes come across amazing things that way. It depends on the avenue you want to go down - academic or more mainstream too. Ok, I'm going to have to do a video on this. I love this subject area so much and its got that much potential. I hope this helps and if you have any other questions, ask away. I'll try to help.