Stitch by Stitch : A Stem Stitch Embroidery with Front and Reverse views

Update - I've had to remove some background nature sounds as a music copyright has claimed ownership although its clearly not a match. I'll work on how to fix this!
In this video we finish the embroidery outline of the first motif. Instead of me talking as we work, I've decided to make a slow stitch video with a (hopefully) unique twist - you get to see Stem Stitch worked from the front and reverse at the same time.
I briefly catch you up the focus of this video and introduce what we're doing. We then carry on the embroidery, working the outline on the first motif - the border folate.
So grab your craft, or if you don't or can't craft for whatever reason, grab a drink and slice of cake and join me for an hour or stitching (or other crafting) and relaxing.
I'm recreating part of the Bayeux Tapestry embroidery using authentic materials and equipment. I want to explore how it was made, the techniques used, the time it took, how the materials and equipment reacted to being used, and how the embroiderers may have made decisions and felt as they worked.
Other project, stitch and Bayeux Tapestry related videos:
Day 2 - Thread Tales: • Thread Tales: Continui...
Day 1 - Stitching: • Bayeux Tapestry Recrea...
How to embroiderer stem stitch: • How to Embroider Stem ...
How many stitches does it take: • How many stitches does...
The Back of the BT: • The Back of a Bayeux T...
Transferring the Design: • Bayeux Tapestry Recrea...
Framing up the ground fabric: • Bayeux Tapestry Recrea...
The equipment: • Bayeux Tapestry Recrea...
The design: • Bayeux Tapestry Recrea...
Introducing the project: • Bayeux Tapestry Recrea...
My published analyses can be found here:
'The Front tells, the Story the Back tells the History: a technical discussion of the embroidering of the Bayeux Tapestry', in Making Sense of the Bayeux Tapestry Readings and Reworkings, ed. Anna C. Henderson with Gale R. Owen-Crocker (Manchester University Press, 2016)
'Les six Chateaux de la Tâpisserie de Bayeux: une discussion technique du travail de broderie de la Tapisserie de Bayeux' in L'invention de la Tapisserie de Bayeux, ed. Sylvette Lemagnen, Shirley Ann Brown & Gale Owen-Crocker (Point de Vues, 2018)
The Lost Art of the Anglo-Saxon World: the sacred and secular power of embroidery (Oxbow, 2019)
Books in the video:
D.M. Wilson, The Bayeux Tapestry (Thames & Hudson, 1985)
Dr Alexandra Makin
Early Medieval Embroidery
Professional Embroiderer
Textile Archaeologist
​#embroidery​ #stemstitch #slowstitch #bayeuxtapestry #handembroidery

[@lignaquy]

Oh,two tours AND a halfthis !!!!thanks a millón!!!🌹this Is so nice!

[@EarlyMedievalEmbroidery]

😆😆 I’m glad you’re enjoying it!

[@karamia1392]

The sound of birdsong and running water is blissful! And your work is superb. You are doing Anglo Saxon lady ancestors proud ❤

[@EarlyMedievalEmbroidery]

Thank you, I’m so pleased you like the ambiance. When I stitch and do my research I sometimes wonder what early medieval embroiderers would have thought about the way I’m working. I always hope for the best 😄

[@karamia1392]

@@EarlyMedievalEmbroidery I think they would have been gossiping about Aelfgyva :)

[@EarlyMedievalEmbroidery]

I agree 😄

[@ottarsdatter]

It felt great to sit and stitch along with you, listening to the birdsong, and admiring your quick, skilled stitching. This whole project is bringing me such joy.

[@EarlyMedievalEmbroidery]

Hi! I’m so pleased you like this type of video too. I chuckled when I read ‘quick stitching’. I often feel so slow. It’s nice to know I’m not too bad still.

[@anna-mariecox8361]

Very much looking forward to seeing the laid and couch stitch

[@EarlyMedievalEmbroidery]

It’s up next 🤗

[@DaisyDebs]

Just popped in to see how it's coming along ! 💐 x

[@EarlyMedievalEmbroidery]

Thanks 😃

[@LerLorearen]

I'm so glad I found this, I absolutely love historial crafts and embroidery in particular. Love watching your work!

[@EarlyMedievalEmbroidery]

That’s so kind of you, thanks! ☺️

[@michelejane3119]

I really like seeing both sides! Thank you.

[@EarlyMedievalEmbroidery]

Fantastic! I’m so pleased to read this.

[@estellekostanza7874]

❤🧡💛🧡🧡🧡

[@yarnexpress]

This particular video has brought me such joy! I'm remembering sitting at my quilting frame where the only sound was the song of the needle. I'm determined to sit & stitch, if only for a few minutes. I shared these thoughts with my daughters. One daughter had to explain to her husband the difference between a recreation & a reproduction. He mentioned that his late mother loved the art of the Bayeux Tapestry--had to visit your channel. The other daughter, an archeologist by training, went off on experimental archaeology & also visited your channel. You have a bigger impact than you might be aware.

[@EarlyMedievalEmbroidery]

I’m so glad the video gave you joy, and got your family reminiscing and looking into new things! This is lovely to read 😃. And no, I didn’t know the channel had such a reach. That’s fantastic to hear 😊

[@argusfleibeit1165]

Seeing how you work, I am realizing one of my big mistakes in trying to embroider. That you take the time, with each stitch, from the top and the bottom-- to hold onto the thread to keep it from tying itself in knots. Far better to go slower and take the time, with steady progress, than to rush through and make a mess which has to be undone. I think very few of us gets the one-on-one instruction to make this practice a habit. Nobody I knew personally did embroidery-- but I somehow expected myself to just "magically figure it out". How actually silly! Thank you.

[@EarlyMedievalEmbroidery]

This is very interesting. I hadn’t realised that I do this, I think because it’s a habit learnt over time and maybe innate, me being an embroiderer from very young. I’ll definitely keep this in mind when teaching future classes. Thank you so much for your observation and I’m so pleased the video is helping you with stitching. I hope your project is going well.

[@emilyeyes]

Loved to craft along with you!

[@EarlyMedievalEmbroidery]

That’s wonderful to hear! I hope your project is going well

[@honeybee8194]

So excited for another one of these videos! My craft of the day I’m working on is a small crochet bag so that I can take my yarn on the go! Beautiful work as always :)

[@EarlyMedievalEmbroidery]

I’m so pleased! Thank you! I hope your crochet bag is going well

[@sharonhargreaves6056]

Good morning, watching you stitch has made me realise that I can go slowly and methodically thank you. When I watched the videos of you doing the St Cuthbert, I saw that you did the outline stitch after the filling but it’s the other way for Bayeux. Is it because techniques changed or because of the different thread? Thank you 😊

[@EarlyMedievalEmbroidery]

Hello, I’m so glad the video has helped you with your stitching. The reason I stitched the Cuthbert piece the other way round was because I was following the evidence I found when analysing that piece. I think I mention in one of those videos that when you’re stitching the complex silk and gold it actually made sense to work the outlines last - covering the turning points and any ‘knobbles’ along the edges. It’s down to the materials and how they ‘work’ too.

[@stefanwild326]

[@vladshym6836]

Кто тебе рисует схемы для вышивки?

[@EarlyMedievalEmbroidery]

I draw them myself

[@chermar3]

how do you find sewing with this type of needl, and are they for sale?

[@EarlyMedievalEmbroidery]

I like these needles and if fact, I use them all the time now. I find the feel and the way I work with them over and easier than modern ones. I hope that makes sense. If you stitch, I think you’ll ’get it’. I order them bespoke from an artisan. I’m just exploring options for selling them through my online shop. I’ll upload a short when I start to stock them, so watch this space.

[@WendyWilson-Perry]

@@EarlyMedievalEmbroidery I got one of the bronze needles in your Bayeux Tapestry Peacock kit and I LOVE using it. I'm taking very careful care not to lose it, so would definitely be interested in purchasing a couple more to have on hand. Will keep an eye out for an announcement!

[@EarlyMedievalEmbroidery]

Hello Wendy! I’m so glad you’ve been converted to the needles. I’ll keep you posted about when I get new stock. Watch out for a short.

[@xxxholic22]

I had an idea whilst watching your previous video and I felt I had to comment. You are counting the threads you use = what about stitch counters like you use for knitting, if you have separate counters for each colour - possibly tape a bit of that yarn [an end or something] it'll be much easier for you. I know when I was handstitching a regency set from the skin out I kept forgetting that I could use tech for things that were not the exact project, like forgetting about things like kitchen timers. So I thought - this bit needs recording but doesn't need a page of bars and gates. I thought it might make things a bit easier, and knowing you knit you probably have a box of them

[@EarlyMedievalEmbroidery]

This is a great idea! The only problem is that I got up my knitted rows with bars and gates too 😆. I’m going to investigate row counters now though.