Introducing The Bablake Tapestry
Around two years ago, Headmaster Mr Watson offered Bablake's Textiles department the honour of filling the huge space alongside our magnificent Compton organ in the Main Hall with a wall hanging. Lauren Cox explains what happened next:
"Our Headmaster's idea inspired Miss Kukucska to gather a team for the project which included pupils from most years of the school- the youngest being in the Shells and the oldest in the Upper Sixth. We met for an hour each week after school for ‘Textiles Club’ and after several months of planning, we eventually settled on our final design, which has incorporated as many aspects of Bablake life as possible.
The group decided to split the workload into panels which would then be sewn together like a big patchwork quilt. The final wall hanging is made up of eight subject panels - Art and DT, Food and Textiles, History and Geography, Languages, Music and ICT, PE, RE and English, Science and Maths - the Bablake badge, our school building and the four House badges.
Wherever possible, we endeavoured to use a different technique on each panel, including applique, felting, computerised machine-sewing, tie dye and even fabric that dissolves in water!
Miss Kukucska, with help from Sixth Former Alice Ryan and myself, managed to keep everyone on track and there was always an increase in productivity when she brought out the ‘treats box’!
On a more personal note, I really enjoyed being a part of this project and having the chance to help lead our team. It’s strange to think that two years ago we were all wondering how we were ever going to achieve our goal, and now the wall hanging is up and looks fantastic alongside the newly restored organ. I’m sure that I speak on behalf of the team when I say that I am very proud of our wall hanging and I hope it has pride of place in the Main Hall for many years to come. "
The final outcome is indeed splendid, an achievement that our Textiles team and Lauren and her 'colleagues' quite correctly should feel proud of. We urge parents and visitors to have a look in the Main Hall on their next visit to Bablake.
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