These online evening classes will introduce you to the motifs carved onto the reverse of the 93 Lewis Chessman pieces, which date to the late 12^th or early 13^th century. You will stitch a flower wrapping in and around a frame worked in colours inspired by those of the original pieces. Using ‘authentic’ materials – hand woven linen ground fabric made to the specification of the original, hand and naturally dyed wool threads and a handmade bronze needle based on early medieval finds – you will learn stitches that used to create early medieval embroidery (450-1100 CE).

All the outlines and detail lines are worked in single rows of stem stitch, while the frame itself is infilled with split stitch. The stem and leaves are filled with chain stitch while the small bands are embroidered in satin stitch. The centre of the flower is filled with laid and couched.

This design is an amalgamation of motifs found on a number of different pieces including a king and queen. The dark outlines mimic the darker carved lines of the figures while the orange-brown and creams invoke the different colours highlighted by different carved areas and the original walrus ivory. As we work through this approximately 11cm x 9cm motif, we will have chance to talk about Alex’s work researching early medieval embroidery and its wider context within society.

Your kit will include handwoven linen material with the design printed onto it, hand and naturally dyed 2-ply lambswool threads, handmade bronze needle and full colour instructions.

The first two sessions will take place online between 7:00 and 9:00pm GMT and the final, hour summary session will run between 7:00 and 8:00pm GMT.

Your kit will include handwoven linen material with the design printed onto it, hand and naturally dyed 2-ply lambswool threads, a handmade bronze needle and full colour instructions.

The class kit will be posted out to you.