School pupils inspired by Dundee Tapestry prepare to design their own new tapestry
Free images to use credit: Alan Richardson
The Dundee Tapestry created by over 140 volunteer stitchers has returned to V&A Dundee.
The display, which depicts the city’s past, present and future across 35 beautifully hand-stitched panels first opened at V&A Dundee from January-April 2024 with over 86,000 people coming to V&A Dundee while the tapestry was on show.
Due to its huge popularity, the Dundee Tapestry has returned for a second showing at V&A Dundee and is now also the inspiration for a new generation of young Dundonian stitchers. The young stitchers from Downfield Primary School are soon to embark on a project to create their own new tapestry panel to commemorate the school’s 150th anniversary in 2025.
A group of Primary 4 and Primary 5 pupils from Downfield Primary met with Dundee Tapestry stitchers, Lynne Potts, Aileen Scoular, June Anderson, Ervin Mackie and John Fyffe, one of the founders of The Dundee Tapestry during a visit to V&A Dundee (Monday 11 Nov) to learn more about the tapestry and how it was developed and made.
Lynne Potts, Dundee Tapestry stitcher, said: “It’s great to see the enthusiasm of the kids as they engaged with the tapestry panels. They were excited to find hidden images stitched into the panels and to see Dundee history brought to life. We’re excited to see a new generation of Dundonian stitchers take inspiration from the Dundee Tapestry as they prepare to design their own new tapestry panel for Downfield Primary School.”
John Fyffe, MBE, of the Weaver Incorporation of Dundee, one of the Nine Incorporated Trades of Dundee, said: “The Dundee Tapestry has captured the imagination of young and old. It’s great to see that Downfield Primary have taken the tapestry to their hearts and intend to use the panels as a context for learning. This is an imaginative way to engage young people in aspects of local history.
“I am also delighted to have been asked by the school to share advice on how to engage their school community in creating a panel to celebrate their 150th anniversary. When we started this project, we could not possibly conceive how it would be received and used in different ways to engage the people of Dundee. We wish the school well as they embark on this new project.”
Stewart Hunter, Children, Families and Communities Convener, said: “It’s great to be celebrating Downfield Primary School’s 150th Anniversary and marking the occasion in partnership with V&A Dundee.
“This milestone offers an opportunity for the children to learn about the rich history of their school, explore the local area, and get a deeper understanding of the wider city. Whilst also exploring what the future of Downfield Primary might look like.
“As part of our celebrations the school are going to work with V&A Dundee, MAKE knit workshop, and Creative Scotland to learn about the Dundee Tapestry. The children will also work to create their own tapestry panel to celebrate 150 years of Downfield Primary School.”
Gary Jamieson, Schools Development Officer at V&A Dundee, said “We’re really looking forward to all 300 pupils from Downfield Primary coming to visit the Dundee Tapestry at V&A Dundee over the next few weeks. There are so many rich stories about Dundee’s history depicted in the tapestry, from computer games to the city’s connections with the world that will resonate with the children and be a great stimulus for learning.”
The Dundee Tapestry is free to visit and on display at V&A Dundee until March 2025. There are new Tapestry colouring-in sheets available for families to pick up whilst visiting, additional information about each tapestry which can be downloaded through QR codes and newly commissioned V&A Dundee Tapestry kits available to buy in the V&A Dundee Shop.
