Jacky Puzey designed, embroidered and created this striking series of banners, working closely with couture beader Beatrice Mayfield who created the beautiful beading in collaboration with Jacky’s embroidery to enhance the details of the banners.

Crafting History: The Process Behind the Seven Saxon Kings Embroidery Project

The Seven Saxon Kings Project has been a labour of love, bringing together talented artists and makers. From the outset, the challenge was clear: distilling complex historical narratives into single images that would resonate with audiences. This required meticulous research and analysis, ensuring that each panel would authentically capture the essence of its respective king’s reign.

The project started nearly a decade ago with a design competition, open to students at art colleges and universities in England, to lay some conceptual groundwork. The Seven Saxon Kings Project then enlisted contemporary embroidery artist, Dr Jacky Puzey, and her award winning embroidery studio which specialises in bespoke creative commissions. Jacky significantly developed and skilfully re-designed and translated the concepts into the intricate modern embroideries we see today. Additional embellishments were commissioned from embroidery artist and beader Beatrice Mayfield, who regularly collaborates with Jacky’s studio. Jacky Puzey’s expertise has been instrumental in shaping this project from the vibrant beginnings of the competition to the exquisite sophisticated final product we see today.

Reflecting on her role in the project, Dr Jacky Puzey shared her passion for historical research and figurative drawing, emphasizing the excitement of such a meaningful commission:

“My embroidery work specialises in striking images and detailed research, from textile history to contemporary embroidery skills. This commission is an exciting chance to work on a series of large works that will form a permanent installation in the Church, continuing both the rich traditions of English ecclesiastical embroidery over the centuries and creating a contemporary figurative embroidery artwork that depicts an Anglo-Saxon royal history of All Saints Kingston.”

Dr Jacky Puzey/All Saints Church, Kingston upon Thames

THE BANNERS ARE NOW FULLY INSTALLED IN ALL SAINTS CHURCH, KINGSTON UPON THAMES, UK.

If you would like to visit, please contact the Church via their website to see opening hours

and details of their embroidery talks and events as part of this fascinating project