Stitching History: Embroidery Puppet Tours the World in Art Adventure

Mia Hansson, an embroidery artist from Wisbech in Cambridgeshire, has embarked on a remarkable journey to recreate the famous Bayeux Tapestry. The original tapestry tells the story of the Norman Conquest of England in 1066, a pivotal moment in British history. Mia has already completed 54 meters of her replica and has about 14 meters left, aiming to finish the project by 2027. But Mia's creativity doesn't stop there. She has launched a worldwide embroidery project, sending a one-meter square piece of linen to 50 artists across three continents. Each artist is invited to stitch their own design onto the fabric before passing it on to the next participant. Along with the linen, Mia has sent a handmade glove puppet named Stella. Stella is dressed in traditional 11th-century clothing, with a long burgundy dress, a yellow hat, and pigtails. Stella's journey is documented on a Facebook page, where hosts upload photos and updates about her adventures. Stella has already visited several countries, including Scotland, France, Belgium, Norway, England, and Australia. The linen now features a variety of embroidered images, such as trees, flowers, animals, and even a crocodile in a rowing boat.

Mia learned to sew from her grandmother at the age of four and has been passionate about embroidery ever since. In 2001, she began making Viking re-enactment clothing, but when orders slowed down, she decided to take on the ambitious task of recreating the Bayeux Tapestry by hand. The project has become a labor of love, requiring patience and dedication over many years. Mia is thrilled by the enthusiasm of artists worldwide who want to participate in her traveling embroidery project. She had to limit the number of hosts to ensure Stella and the linen would eventually return home. The artists use regular postal services to send the package from one country to another, and each host shares updates on the Facebook page, showcasing the new additions to the fabric and Stella's experiences. Mia admits she feels a bit jealous of Stella, who gets to travel to amazing places and meet incredible people. She jokes that she wishes she could fit in the package herself.

The journey of Stella and the embroidered linen is set to end in 2027, coinciding with the millennium anniversary of William the Conqueror's birth. The final stop will be Battle, Kent, the site of the historic Battle of Hastings. Mia's replica of the Bayeux Tapestry will be a full-scale version, taking her about 11 years to complete. The project not only celebrates artistic collaboration but also connects people from different cultures through the shared love of embroidery and history. The Bayeux Tapestry itself is a significant artifact, depicting scenes from the Norman invasion and the Battle of Hastings. Mia's work will serve as a tribute to this important piece of history and the creativity of artists worldwide. If you have a story to share from Cambridgeshire, you can contact the news team or follow updates on social media. Mia's embroidery project is a wonderful example of how art can bring people together and inspire creativity across borders.