Hear from our stitchers

Our community engagement officer, Lyndsey, sent our volunteers out stitching packs to test and play with the material. Here's some of the pieces that were sent back, and the stories that helped to create them.

"In the 1990s I had the pleasure of staying in Bayeux and seeing first hand, the famous tapestry. The skill of telling a story through stitches onto fabric, left me in awe. I was gripped by this record of history and left wondering about those who had carried out the process of recording the events.

In relatively recent years we in Scotland have seen the making of The Great Tapestry of Scotland, followed by the Prestonpans Tapestry 1745. When I heard of the possibility of a third tapestry i.e. The Dundee Tapestry, I couldn't wait to respond.

My sample of work is an immediate response to school days in the 50s. "Dundee", famous for: Jute, Jam & Journalism and so much more. Throughout its history it's had a lively community which today results in its vast expansion into scientific research, medicine, technology art & design etc. as well as being a centre for media studies. Thank you for giving me this opportunity."

- Maureen McIntosh

"I was really keen to take part in The Dundee Tapestry, as I missed out on the Great Tapestry of Scotland and also, I now live in Fife. I chose Michael Marra as the first subject of my design as my husbands and I are big fans and love listening to his music and went to his concerts as often as we could.

As well as a superb writer, Michael was an accomplished musician and that is why I wanted to include the piano/keyboard and the guitar. He is depicted wearing his trademark beret. There were so many lyrics I could have chosen, but in the end "If Dundee was Africa' was the song going round my head as I drew and stitched."

- Anne Murphy, Kirkcaldy

"I'm originally from Dundee but haven't lived there for a very long time. I wanted to be involved in this project over lockdown as it has been a time of reflection and I have fond memories of my favourite childhood Christmas gift from Santa being the "Oor Wullie" annual. Before lockdown I recently saw "Oor Wullie" the musical and loved the production!

I'm so glad that Wullie and his pals continue to bring fun to old and young alike. To me, Wullie is synonymous with Dundee and its people."

- Audrey

We're looking for more people to join our team and help out with stitching. To get a pack, contact our community engagement officer Lyndsey or submit a request on the Contact page.