After extensive market research, a natural color Belgian linen background fabric was purchased from the Mill End Store in Milwaukee, Oregon. A major success was acquiring ideal pro bono working space at the Washington School for the Deaf, a large classroom space with north light, ample storage, running water and supplemental furnishings. Starting with an enthusiastic open house at Tapestry Room 218, activities continue to escalate. Seventy samplers have been stitched and returned for evaluation, the design continues to be refined and detailed, volunteers are tracing individual sections, thread colors and amounts are being chosen and background linen is being measured and cut, ready to be stretched on workframes. Volunteers will soon gather together for techniques lessons on specific design features.
Progress is actively underway.
The Fort Vancouver Tapestry is taking form. With continued enthusiastic community support, there is every reason to believe this work of art will generate the kind of interest and acclaim accorded to the limited number of similar textile narratives existent worldwide.