Remembrance Day

Needlework has played a significant role in almost every facet of history since time began. Be it for ceremonial purposes, industry, necessity, education, cultural significance, mental health or pure enjoyment, the story of needle and thread is embedded into our story as a human race.

During times of conflict, needlework has also played its role. From helping to rehabilitate soldiers, providing embellishment for uniforms to turning feed sacks into clothing when supplies were scarce.

It is fitting, therefore, that today when the members of the Commonwealth take a moment to pause and reflect for Remembrance Day, we can still turn to needle and thread to help us process past and present conflicts of war.

In Flanders Fields by Jo Butcher is a beautifully embroidered panel featuring bright splashes of red poppies. The name of the project comes from Lieutenant-Colonel John McCrae’s moving poem, penned during World War, which has gone on to immortalise the red poppy as the iconic symbol of remembrance.

You can read more about this project including Jo Butcher’s own personal back story to this piece HERE.

Another poignant project for today is Remember by Philippa Todd, a striking, elegant, three-dimensional poppy that can be worn as a brooch.

To discover the backstory to this piece and more of the history as to why  the poppy is associated with commemorating the world wars, click HERE.

May we forever be grateful for the men and women who died in battle fighting for our freedoms.

Lest we forget.