 American
Eagle by Susan E. Warner Nance
I was thrilled when I received notice of having passed Step One of
the Master Craftswoman Program in Counted Thread in September 2001. I
was also devastated at the new world emerging after the World Trade
Center and Pentagon attacks. I instantly started research into Assisi
work, and a patriotic theme emerged.
In reading Pamela Ness’ work, I found that typical design motifs in
the 13th – 14th century were of stylized birds,
done on white linen with red or blue silk thread. She indicated that in
the early 20th century there was predominant use of dark
outline and red background, with elaborate Holbein borders. In the late
20th century, the design was less stylized and more realistic
and representational.
My design combines all these elements. I have stitched a
representational American eagle (adapted from the Presidential Seal)
outlined in blue silk thread, stitched on 36 count evenweave white
linen, with red silk cross stitches as the background. The Holbein
border combines the symbols of the American national flower (the rose),
the grapes of plenty and the grapes of wrath, and grain from our earth.
The grapes and grain are part of the "fruited plain" and
"amber waves of grain" in America the Beautiful.
It was particularly moving to stitch this piece while traveling on a
plane. I was not able to carry my scissors with me due to security
measures, and had threads hanging everywhere. Those who spoke to me
about the piece appreciated the patriotic theme, the reasons for
stitching it, and the reasons why loose threads were dangling.
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