Dr Bea Stitches
@drelvey.bsky.social
Historian by training; textile artist by preference. Usually stitching something inspired by Hilary Mantel’s Cromwell Trilogy. European.
On this day in 1501, Prince Arthur of Wales married Katherine of Aragon at St Paul’s Cathedral, London.
Panel from the Cromwell Narrative Cloth.
Panel from the Cromwell Narrative Cloth.
November 14, 2025 at 1:30 PM
On this day in 1501, Prince Arthur of Wales married Katherine of Aragon at St Paul’s Cathedral, London.
Panel from the Cromwell Narrative Cloth.
Panel from the Cromwell Narrative Cloth.
Working Thomas Cromwell’s River. I’m surrounded by maps and nautical navigation charts and notes. Plus Wolf Hall on audio.
November 2, 2025 at 3:33 PM
Working Thomas Cromwell’s River. I’m surrounded by maps and nautical navigation charts and notes. Plus Wolf Hall on audio.
This is either the beginning of a new idea, or the reworking of an old one. Thomas Cromwell along the Thames. Not sure what I am doing yet.
October 27, 2025 at 9:18 AM
This is either the beginning of a new idea, or the reworking of an old one. Thomas Cromwell along the Thames. Not sure what I am doing yet.
In my studio with two of four of Thomas Cromwell’s queens: new work ready for next year’s @wolfhall.bsky.social Weekenx by the Tower.
Katherine of Aragon and Anna of Cleves. Just finished Katherine 20 minutes ago.
Katherine of Aragon and Anna of Cleves. Just finished Katherine 20 minutes ago.
October 25, 2025 at 2:32 PM
In my studio with two of four of Thomas Cromwell’s queens: new work ready for next year’s @wolfhall.bsky.social Weekenx by the Tower.
Katherine of Aragon and Anna of Cleves. Just finished Katherine 20 minutes ago.
Katherine of Aragon and Anna of Cleves. Just finished Katherine 20 minutes ago.
A very cheering Zoom session with @guildmedmak.bsky.social at which I managed to complete three more #LettersToCromwell from 1529.
I now need to log them on the Great Big Spreadsheet.
I now need to log them on the Great Big Spreadsheet.
October 23, 2025 at 6:23 PM
A very cheering Zoom session with @guildmedmak.bsky.social at which I managed to complete three more #LettersToCromwell from 1529.
I now need to log them on the Great Big Spreadsheet.
I now need to log them on the Great Big Spreadsheet.
For Trafalgar Day.
Nelson at Osborne, stitched while researching Maurice Elvey’s magnificent 1918 biographical film, which included scenes taken at Osborne. Elvey’s Nelson is still the only feature film to have been shot on board HMS Victory.
Stitched Nelson, 1400 one inch squares handsewn.
Nelson at Osborne, stitched while researching Maurice Elvey’s magnificent 1918 biographical film, which included scenes taken at Osborne. Elvey’s Nelson is still the only feature film to have been shot on board HMS Victory.
Stitched Nelson, 1400 one inch squares handsewn.
October 21, 2025 at 9:51 AM
For Trafalgar Day.
Nelson at Osborne, stitched while researching Maurice Elvey’s magnificent 1918 biographical film, which included scenes taken at Osborne. Elvey’s Nelson is still the only feature film to have been shot on board HMS Victory.
Stitched Nelson, 1400 one inch squares handsewn.
Nelson at Osborne, stitched while researching Maurice Elvey’s magnificent 1918 biographical film, which included scenes taken at Osborne. Elvey’s Nelson is still the only feature film to have been shot on board HMS Victory.
Stitched Nelson, 1400 one inch squares handsewn.
Why am I suddenly hit by an overwhelming desire to stitch the Civitas Londinum (c1561)? It would take years and I’m busy.
Brain: So, what about the bit round the Austin Friars then? Go onnnnnn…
Me: No. Busy.
Brain: You were pointing at it. Why were you pointing at it?
Step. Away. From. The. Map.
Brain: So, what about the bit round the Austin Friars then? Go onnnnnn…
Me: No. Busy.
Brain: You were pointing at it. Why were you pointing at it?
Step. Away. From. The. Map.
October 17, 2025 at 4:56 PM
Why am I suddenly hit by an overwhelming desire to stitch the Civitas Londinum (c1561)? It would take years and I’m busy.
Brain: So, what about the bit round the Austin Friars then? Go onnnnnn…
Me: No. Busy.
Brain: You were pointing at it. Why were you pointing at it?
Step. Away. From. The. Map.
Brain: So, what about the bit round the Austin Friars then? Go onnnnnn…
Me: No. Busy.
Brain: You were pointing at it. Why were you pointing at it?
Step. Away. From. The. Map.
A couple of fabric notes in the handwriting style of Thomas Cromwell - Yellow Satin and Russet Velvet.
Doomsday Ink, Calico, silk and cotton thread, silk wadding, wood frame.
Doomsday Ink, Calico, silk and cotton thread, silk wadding, wood frame.
October 13, 2025 at 8:56 AM
A couple of fabric notes in the handwriting style of Thomas Cromwell - Yellow Satin and Russet Velvet.
Doomsday Ink, Calico, silk and cotton thread, silk wadding, wood frame.
Doomsday Ink, Calico, silk and cotton thread, silk wadding, wood frame.
Passing the wreck site of the Mary Rose.
September 12, 2025 at 10:56 AM
Passing the wreck site of the Mary Rose.
More work on Thomas Cromwell’s handwriting. Fairly large scale - Doomsday Ink on unbleached calico. It always takes a while to get the scrawl flowing freely.
September 1, 2025 at 8:03 PM
More work on Thomas Cromwell’s handwriting. Fairly large scale - Doomsday Ink on unbleached calico. It always takes a while to get the scrawl flowing freely.
Letters to Cromwell - mostly from 1529. I am fascinated by the forms of address and how they become increasingly formal. Doomsday Ink on unbleached calico.
August 25, 2025 at 8:24 AM
Letters to Cromwell - mostly from 1529. I am fascinated by the forms of address and how they become increasingly formal. Doomsday Ink on unbleached calico.
The first part of a new piece of work - Sewing/Unsewing - is complete: Katherine of Aragon’s emblem of the Pomegranate and the Tudor Rose.
August 4, 2025 at 6:40 PM
The first part of a new piece of work - Sewing/Unsewing - is complete: Katherine of Aragon’s emblem of the Pomegranate and the Tudor Rose.
It is disappointing when you see what looks like interesting textile art and then realise it’s AI generated.
All of my Stitching Cromwell work is sewn entirely by hand - by these hands, my hands.
“Finishing the Shanty Quilt”, photographed by Michael Wicks, 2021.
All of my Stitching Cromwell work is sewn entirely by hand - by these hands, my hands.
“Finishing the Shanty Quilt”, photographed by Michael Wicks, 2021.
August 4, 2025 at 6:00 AM
It is disappointing when you see what looks like interesting textile art and then realise it’s AI generated.
All of my Stitching Cromwell work is sewn entirely by hand - by these hands, my hands.
“Finishing the Shanty Quilt”, photographed by Michael Wicks, 2021.
All of my Stitching Cromwell work is sewn entirely by hand - by these hands, my hands.
“Finishing the Shanty Quilt”, photographed by Michael Wicks, 2021.
Today I went Cromwelling with Magnificence I: The Cromwell Textile Cloth. Where else but the Austin Friars?
August 3, 2025 at 5:07 PM
Today I went Cromwelling with Magnificence I: The Cromwell Textile Cloth. Where else but the Austin Friars?
For World Embroidery Day:
Cromwell Thames Roll (2022), featuring the patron saint of the Boatmen, photographed by Michael Wicks.
Cromwell Thames Roll (2022), featuring the patron saint of the Boatmen, photographed by Michael Wicks.
July 30, 2025 at 10:05 AM
For World Embroidery Day:
Cromwell Thames Roll (2022), featuring the patron saint of the Boatmen, photographed by Michael Wicks.
Cromwell Thames Roll (2022), featuring the patron saint of the Boatmen, photographed by Michael Wicks.
Anna of Cleves is complete (as of 25 minutes ago). Unbleached calico, silk wadding, handquilted in various threads. Over 5ft in height.
July 15, 2025 at 9:25 AM
Anna of Cleves is complete (as of 25 minutes ago). Unbleached calico, silk wadding, handquilted in various threads. Over 5ft in height.
Took Magnificence I: The Cromwell Textile Cloth out to try to get some pictures but it was a tad windy.
Calico, ink, silk batting, cotton, silk, gold and silver thread. Inspired by a textile inventory from 1528, handwritten by Thomas Cromwell. All hand stitched.
Calico, ink, silk batting, cotton, silk, gold and silver thread. Inspired by a textile inventory from 1528, handwritten by Thomas Cromwell. All hand stitched.
June 12, 2025 at 2:14 PM
Took Magnificence I: The Cromwell Textile Cloth out to try to get some pictures but it was a tad windy.
Calico, ink, silk batting, cotton, silk, gold and silver thread. Inspired by a textile inventory from 1528, handwritten by Thomas Cromwell. All hand stitched.
Calico, ink, silk batting, cotton, silk, gold and silver thread. Inspired by a textile inventory from 1528, handwritten by Thomas Cromwell. All hand stitched.
Last stitch being sewn into Magnificence I: The Cromwell Textile Cloth.
6ft handquilted piece inspired by a list of valuable textile items in Thomas Cromwell’s hand, inventoried as part of a 1528 legal case.
6ft handquilted piece inspired by a list of valuable textile items in Thomas Cromwell’s hand, inventoried as part of a 1528 legal case.
June 11, 2025 at 9:45 PM
Last stitch being sewn into Magnificence I: The Cromwell Textile Cloth.
6ft handquilted piece inspired by a list of valuable textile items in Thomas Cromwell’s hand, inventoried as part of a 1528 legal case.
6ft handquilted piece inspired by a list of valuable textile items in Thomas Cromwell’s hand, inventoried as part of a 1528 legal case.
Quilting with metallic thread is not a favourite occupation but I want some visual representations of Golden threyde and Silver Tynsel on my Cromwell Textile Cloth.
I have also deciphered a word that previously had me stumped: Baudkyn. It’s a type of luxury silk fabric woven with gold. Valuable.
I have also deciphered a word that previously had me stumped: Baudkyn. It’s a type of luxury silk fabric woven with gold. Valuable.
June 7, 2025 at 4:48 PM
Quilting with metallic thread is not a favourite occupation but I want some visual representations of Golden threyde and Silver Tynsel on my Cromwell Textile Cloth.
I have also deciphered a word that previously had me stumped: Baudkyn. It’s a type of luxury silk fabric woven with gold. Valuable.
I have also deciphered a word that previously had me stumped: Baudkyn. It’s a type of luxury silk fabric woven with gold. Valuable.
A new piece of work coming into being.
May 30, 2025 at 5:36 PM
A new piece of work coming into being.
Thomas Cromwell and textiles: yellow satin and russet velvet.
Unbleached calico, ink, silk thread, silk wadding.
Unbleached calico, ink, silk thread, silk wadding.
May 23, 2025 at 5:50 AM
Thomas Cromwell and textiles: yellow satin and russet velvet.
Unbleached calico, ink, silk thread, silk wadding.
Unbleached calico, ink, silk thread, silk wadding.
Had splendid pastime with good company yesterday talking about Stitching Cromwell and material histories at the Material Histories Group conference @uniofbrighton.bsky.social
May 16, 2025 at 10:17 AM
Had splendid pastime with good company yesterday talking about Stitching Cromwell and material histories at the Material Histories Group conference @uniofbrighton.bsky.social
Boxed Queens. Another aide memoir for Thomas Cromwell, focusing on dress, of the four queens of Henry VIII who were in place during his life. Hand painted on calico, hand quilted.
A representation of how these very different women are commodified, commercialised, and boxed in even now.
A representation of how these very different women are commodified, commercialised, and boxed in even now.
May 5, 2025 at 2:02 PM
Boxed Queens. Another aide memoir for Thomas Cromwell, focusing on dress, of the four queens of Henry VIII who were in place during his life. Hand painted on calico, hand quilted.
A representation of how these very different women are commodified, commercialised, and boxed in even now.
A representation of how these very different women are commodified, commercialised, and boxed in even now.
Delighted to be speaking about #StitchingCromwell at Material History: Objects and Objectives by the Material Histories Research Excellence Group @uniofbrighton.bsky.social
“Stitched Objects and Objectives within and without Hilary Mantel’s Cromwell Trilogy” will include new stitched work. 🪡🧵
“Stitched Objects and Objectives within and without Hilary Mantel’s Cromwell Trilogy” will include new stitched work. 🪡🧵
April 25, 2025 at 4:53 PM
Delighted to be speaking about #StitchingCromwell at Material History: Objects and Objectives by the Material Histories Research Excellence Group @uniofbrighton.bsky.social
“Stitched Objects and Objectives within and without Hilary Mantel’s Cromwell Trilogy” will include new stitched work. 🪡🧵
“Stitched Objects and Objectives within and without Hilary Mantel’s Cromwell Trilogy” will include new stitched work. 🪡🧵
I have been quilting for over two decades, but I am still always amazed at the way fabric transforms once your needle goes through. Thomas Cromwell’s handwriting quilted front and back. Loving the process of this piece.
April 16, 2025 at 6:07 AM
I have been quilting for over two decades, but I am still always amazed at the way fabric transforms once your needle goes through. Thomas Cromwell’s handwriting quilted front and back. Loving the process of this piece.