my replication of the national flag presented by the relief society to joseph smith at the laying of the cornerstone of the nauvoo temple, april 1841.
red, off-white, and blue silk twill. hand stitched (no sewing machines in 1841). each red and white strip is 6 feet long and takes 2 1/2 to 3 hours to hand stitch with a felled seam. i love how hand stitching creates a dimpled texture and fabric. and in this silk, creates even more motion as the light refelcts on the tiny hills and valleys.
the flag is commissioned by artist and friend michael bedard, who is featured in this meridian magazine article. the third photo down shows him working on the painting that will feature this flag.
i have thouroughly enjoyed the research for this project, particulary that done at the daughters of the utah pioneers museum last month. we are striving for historical accuracy, and i love a challenge, especially if it involves history.
![]( <a href="http://mormon.org/" target="_blank"><img border="0" alt="" src="http://i231.photobucket.com/albums/ee180/juliewuliee/1-1.jpg"/></a>){kind=link}
That is so interesting! So what do you do while you're hand stitching?
Posted by: Mary Smith | January 22, 2009 at 04:18 PM
ummm....can I just say.. WOW! Thats simply amazing...Can I be you when I grow up :)
Posted by: crystal | January 23, 2009 at 01:32 PM
It is beautiful Julie. You are the perfect person to have taken on this project. I can't even imagine doing it.
Posted by: Renee | January 25, 2009 at 12:40 PM
aw bum
more people comment on your blog than mine
i should never have introduced you to blogs, mommy dear
Posted by: Lexi | January 25, 2009 at 02:25 PM
Beautiful.
Posted by: Jill Mulder | January 26, 2009 at 05:00 PM
Hey, I thought of you when I found this blog...
http://mpwquilts.blogspot.com/
She's 90 years old and has all these beautiful quilts she's made. One of them was a bonnet girl--I think I've seen one of yours that is similar.
Posted by: Bebe | January 29, 2009 at 08:33 PM