So. Ten years ago this week, I sat on a train from Stratford-Upon-Avon and said to my partner, “I’m going to stitch that. It makes me want to do something big and ambitious.” The “that” was the Royal Shakespeare Company production of Wolf Hall, adapted by Hilary Mantel and Mike Poulton, and 1 February 2014 was the first time I saw it. And ten years on, I am still stitching it.
I can’t believe it is 10 years either! I made the first big piece as part of a paper I gave at an international conference about Hilary’s work at the Huntington in 2021; Covid restrictions meant that the conference ended up taking place online and the quilt stayed at home with me, rather than going to the US. And then I just carried on, refining and changing the focus with every piece.
While I did not suffer from endometriosis, I was diagnosed with BRCA2 breast cancer in 2004 and was put in the position of choosing a hysterectomy to prevent ovarian cancer. Surgical menopause can be brutal and so, my heart goes out to you -- you have been through so, so much between the pain and discomfort of the endometriosis, the physicians' treatment and of course, abrupt menopause.
Your stitching of course...is amazing. I so enjoy that you're sharing your experiences with us all and look forward to following along.♡
I so enjoy your posts and marvel at your dedication - I am a quilt butterfly, rarely able to stick at one project until it's finished, or perhaps the correct terminology should be squirrel, as my attention is grabbed so easily by a new idea?? I do know, though, how creating with my hands has kept me sane during health issues and the everyday issues of family life.
One of the pleasures of being a quilt butterfly is being able to return to old projects - quilting takes so long that one wants to start something new. Then months - or even years later - you find the unfinished piece and you like it again! That’s what happens to me anyway.
Firstly, I’m sorry to hear that you’ve had such a tough time health wise.
Secondly, I can’t believe it’s 10 years since Wolf Hall at the RSC! They were great plays.
Thirdly, I’m curious - has someone commissioned you to do the quilt? Or are you doing it for love?
Thank you
I can’t believe it is 10 years either! I made the first big piece as part of a paper I gave at an international conference about Hilary’s work at the Huntington in 2021; Covid restrictions meant that the conference ended up taking place online and the quilt stayed at home with me, rather than going to the US. And then I just carried on, refining and changing the focus with every piece.
Thank you
While I did not suffer from endometriosis, I was diagnosed with BRCA2 breast cancer in 2004 and was put in the position of choosing a hysterectomy to prevent ovarian cancer. Surgical menopause can be brutal and so, my heart goes out to you -- you have been through so, so much between the pain and discomfort of the endometriosis, the physicians' treatment and of course, abrupt menopause.
Your stitching of course...is amazing. I so enjoy that you're sharing your experiences with us all and look forward to following along.♡
I am so sorry to hear of your experience, and hope that you are all right. Thank you for sharing your experience, and for your kind words.
Great to hear how you came to it all. There are so many reasons that we come to stitching, and it gives back so much to us.
Oh yes - stitching gives us so much. X
Thank you so much for sharing this, Bea.
I so enjoy your posts and marvel at your dedication - I am a quilt butterfly, rarely able to stick at one project until it's finished, or perhaps the correct terminology should be squirrel, as my attention is grabbed so easily by a new idea?? I do know, though, how creating with my hands has kept me sane during health issues and the everyday issues of family life.
One of the pleasures of being a quilt butterfly is being able to return to old projects - quilting takes so long that one wants to start something new. Then months - or even years later - you find the unfinished piece and you like it again! That’s what happens to me anyway.
Thankyou Bea I loved reading this article so powerful and resonated deeply . Would love to see more of your work. X