The Liverpool Tapestry:
People, Places and Passions
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177
“
I heard of the Tapestry project from my mother, who is a member
of the Merseyside Branch of the Embroiderers’ Guild. I had been
practicing simple embroidery since I was seven or eight years old,
specialising in cross-stitch. Life style changes had made me favour
knitting and this became an obsession. The prospect of choosing
colours, stitches and techniques was frightening so I chose a
technique I had done when I was a child, bargello work – I was not
adventurous but the work looked neat and the colours appealing.
When I was pressed to add embellishment I was very resistant.
The end result was very pleasing – I enjoyed it. The main reason
was the welcoming atmosphere, I made new friends, revived old
acquaintances and enjoyed and marvelled at peoples activity and
skill.”
“
Having finished the Lambanana I decided I would like to do a small
piece which was relevant to my family. My husband asked me if I
could portray a pub he owns in Rice Street, Ye Cracke. He brought a
large painting of the pub for me to reduce down to a six-inch square,
so I asked my mother to do the design – what are mothers for?
Ye Cracke is a well-known Liverpool watering hole – over 150 years
old and on the tourist trail for Liverpool Capital of Culture. It is
visited by scores of locals and visitors, and is renowned for being
the pub used by John Lennon and his wife Cynthia when they were
at the Art School. Many Embroiderers’ Guild members seemed to
have frequented it in their student days and beyond. Less well known
is the War Office, a very small room at the back where locals used to
congregate to discuss the Boer War.
Lots of people will recognise this Liverpool landmark, as it is so
prominent on the tourist route. It recently won best pub in the North
West. We are very proud of this old building and it’s history.”
Superlambanana
Designed and stitched by Jane Rimmer
Ye Crack Public House
Designed and stitched by Jane Rimmer