Kiwi stitchers are making New Zealand's own version of the French Bayeux tapestry, with almost 100 scenes showcasing chapters of New Zealand history.
The project includes panels about the history of motoring in New Zealand. Photo: RNZ / Lydia Anderson
The project, called A History in Stitch, is underway around the country. It will take several years to complete all of the one-metre wide panels.
In Dunedin, the Otago Embroiders Guild are doing their part, meeting every fortnight at the Toitu Otago Settlers Museum to work on their allocated panels.
The group's youngest member, Anne Jaquiery, said many people no longer had any idea what tapestry was.
"They have a wee blank look on their face and they go, 'Oh so it's like sewing,' and I go, 'No.'
"Sometimes you can't tell whether they're impressed or not."
The Otago stitchers are currently painstakingly working on the history of motoring, complete with a brightly coloured Automobile Association car, vintage classics, and the humble farm ute.
The tight-knit group of self-described perfectionists will openly critique each others' work - one of the members, Shirley Jaquiery, had to redo a minute green car three times.
Her fellow stitcher Judy Mason said she let Ms Jaquiery know "nicely" that it needed redoing.
The panel ideas, including one depicting the battle at Gallipoli, are chosen by the Otago University history department. Photo: RNZ / Lydia Anderson
The original 70m Bayeux tapestry, which depicts the Norman conquest of England, was created about a thousand years ago.
The New Zealand project involves scenes such as Gallipoli, the Tarawera eruption, the foundation of Otago, primeval New Zealand, and whaling.
It began in 2010, when Otago businessman Fred Haslan approached then-president of the Otago Embroider's Guild Jeanette Trotman with the concept.
A Tapestry Trust was formed, which tracked down a small mill in Lower Hutt to produce specially-woven wool for the panels.
The panel ideas are decided on by the Otago University history department, and the designs are then drawn by artists before being sent to guilds.
Each panel costs about $5000 to produce, so the project has only been made possible with the help of funding from benefactors and community trusts.
Seven years into the process, only nine panels have been finished.
Ms Trotman, who helps co-ordinate volunteer stitchers from across the country, admitted it was a vast project.
"It is ambitious because each panel takes about 300 to 400 hours of stitching, so that means at least two years."
However she said there was no lack of interest from stitchers looking to get involved and guilds around New Zealand were asking to sign up before artists had even had time to prepare the panels.
Otago Embroiders Guild member Jeanette Trotman says each panel can take up to two years to complete. Photo: RNZ / Lydia Anderson
Toitu visitor experience manager Kirsty Glengarry said she asked the Otago guild to stitch in the building's foyer so the public could watch and enjoy their work.
Cruise ship passengers often crowded around the women as they worked, she said.
"For us it's a lovely project," she said.
"We'll just keep hosting it for as long as the ladies are working."
