In a small town in Iceland, with a population of only 1,000, two women teamed up on an ambitious sewing project.
The two imagined and created a sewing project called The Saga of Njal, which took seven years and seven months to complete. The world was invited to participate, and the tapestry proceeded to be sewn and embroidered by not only many local Icelanders, but people of all ages from 150 countries and six continents.
The massive tapestry measures 90-meters long (the length of a U.S. football field). It may be the longest, continuous, hand-embroidered tapestry on earth. Njal’s Saga is a story of passion and intrigue regarding 10th and 11th century Vikings.
A smaller travelling panel measuring 18 feet in length was created to showcase the original tapestry on its historical journey throughout the U.S. and Canada. .
The images here are hand-embroidered on a linen field in what is known as “the Bayeux Stitch” which involves top and bottom borders containing symbols and images that serve as clues to the action depicted in this ancient Icelandic tale.
The Point Roberts Historical Society invites you to view this incredible tapestry for one night only on Wednesday, May 21 at 6 p.m. in the community center.
Admission is by donation. All proceeds will benefit the effort to build a museum to house the original creation in Hvolsvollur, Iceland. Refreshments will be included for attendees.
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