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Wall hanging
Applique wall-hanging depicting the story of Branwen, the Second Branch of the Mabinogi. It consists of twelve squares, which portrays the main events of the story. The squares were designed by pupils from Bodorgan, Niwbwrch, Llangaffo and Dwyran Primary Schools on Anglesey, under the guidance of Cefyn Burgess. The designs were transferred to fabric and hand-stitched by 45 members of the Môn, Arfon and Denbighshire branches of Cymdeithas Brodwaith Cymru.
Large textile hanging with 12 narrative panels carried out in applique embroidery (2 rows of 6 panels). All hand-stitched apart from edging which is machine-sewn and finished with overlocking stitches. The panels are largely square and are separated by stylised columns. Each scene plays out underneath 3 stylised arches. The scenes are all very varied and include ships, carts, animals, weaponry, musical instruments, castles, seascapes, interior and exterior environments. Different colour wool patches are cut out and secured to the ground fabric with a line of wool yarn which is laid and couched over the edge to protect it from fraying. Details are embroidered using different techniques, such as chain stitch, running stitch, back stitch, french knots and laid-thread couching; textured areas such as beard and hair are created by wrapping the thread around itself and securing the resulting loops into the ground fabric. Multi coloured wool flannel is used for the applique patches and maroon, blue and green basket-woven linen fabric is used as the ground. Embroidery threads are different colour woollen yarn, sewing thread and some areas of metal thread. The hanging has a 4.5cm wide edge binding using maroon linen fabric. The same fabric is used to create a 3-part pole sleeve along the upper egde on the revere of the hanging. The backing is made from a pale grey fabric which has an irregular type of twill weave: the pattern repeats every 4 yarns, resulting in narrow, warp-wise lines. There are no seams in the backing fabric which (judging by the dimensions of the piece) suggests that the warp runs in the horizontal direction.
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