Here’s your chance to participate in a remarkable and unique embroidery project. War Child Embroidery, the brainchild of Lavinia Earl, began in 2000 and is a commemorative embroidery designed to depict the historical events of the 20th century.

When completed, the embroidery will be made up of 100 main panels, each measuring 90 x 60”, so you can see this is a mammoth project. While many of the panels are already finished or well underway, there are still 30 panels or ‘years’ to be allocated.

If you’re in a stitching or embroidery group or know a group of crafters who would like to band together, this is your chance to contribute. Panels can be worked by groups of five or more people, who will be able to take their pick from the years remaining. Once a group has been approved they will be sent a list of significant events for that year to be included in the embroidery. They can then add to that with their own choices, such as local historical events from that year.

You will also be sent some technical information and restrictions, such as limiting the use of silk, as this deteriorates quickly and this is something we really want to last. Also all the participants should be prepared to embroider their names and birthdates for future recognition – we are sure this will become one of the world’s embroidery treasures. You will also be sent Coats satin faced linen, which we have supplied for the project.

All the proceeds for this embroidery will go to the War Child charity, a small international charity that protects children living in the world’s most dangerous war zones, including Iraq, Afghanistan and Uganda.

It is hoped that the finished embroideries will be exhibited in major towns and cities in the UK and overseas. Panels have so far been worked in Europe and the USA.

To take part or to find out more visit the War Child Embroidery website…