A Quick Look into How to Do the Bayeux Tapestry Stitch
In a previous post, I talked about a piece I did last year where I embroidered a meme using the same stitch used to make the Bayeux Tapestry. The client has since asked for a second piece, this time using this image.
Yippee ki yay!
Die Hard is definitely one of my favourite movies; my husband and I watch it at Christmas every year (yes, it is a Christmas movie. I will die on this hill). This iconic scene rendered like this in the medieval style just kills me and I'm loving it so far!
The inspiration image was clear enough that I didn't have to recreate it like last time, so that sped up the process and let me get right to the fun part, the actual stitching. The Bayeux Tapestry is embroidered using what is often called the Bayeux stitch but its more accurate, if technical-sounding, name is the laid couchwork stitch. This stitch is accomplished by laying down a foundation of satin stitch,
followed by two layers of couching: one across the satin stitch,
and one holding down the first couching stitches. A couching stitch is a stitch that lays overtop another stitch, holding it in place. The second couching stitches alternate in a kind of brick pattern to avoid any striping affect.
All of these sections are bordered by a stem stitch. The stem stitch can be done first and then filled in with the Bayeux stitch, or after. I prefer before, as it gives me a chance to block out the sections I'm going to fill in, although it does take some practice. It's very easy to not get the filling stitches perfectly flush with the stem stitch border, which can leave a bit of fabric poking through.
For this piece, I played around with adding some stem stitch details on top of the finished sections, rather than treating them like outlines. I really like how it turned out.
I'm really getting into this style of embroidery. In fact, I have an idea for a whole series done in this style, mixing the modern and traditional in a really fun way! But first, I've got to get this commission finished!