ANZAC Poppy Tutorial
Written and Designed by
Janet M. Davies
Each year on the 25th of April we observe in New Zealand
and Australia a day of commemoration for those
who died in the service of their country and to honour returned servicemen
and women.
The letters ANZAC are for "Australian
and New Zealand Army Corps"
The red poppy flower is worn as a
remembrance flower. The red poppy having been found in the Flounder fields
in France where many ANZAC soldiers lost their lives in the Great
War (1914–18). The poppy
was one of the first plants to grow and bloom
from the muddy battle fields of Flanders.
Also the
poppy represents Remembrance
Day which is the 11th of November at the 11am.
Below I have designed a poppy for you
to stitch as your tribute to those that gave their lives for our
freedom..... lest we forget.
Both my Mother and Fathers forebears
have lived in New Zealand since the 1860's so I have much to thank those
servicemen/women for helping this wonderful country to be as it is.
The design is hand stitched on hand dyed blue cotton fabric. Chain stitch
was used for all outline stitching. 2 strands of six stranded embroidery
cotton was used. In the centre French knots (2 twists) were stitched. A
border of Paua fabric was sewn around the edge as the Paua shell is a 'New
Zealand thing."
This design could be used as a
wall hanging or stitched onto a quilt block etc etc.
Right click on the above drawing and save this line
drawing to your computer for your own personal non-profit use. Insert the
design into a word document and resize to 9cm (3 1/2 inches) wide.
'In Flanders fields'
by Lieutenant Colonel John McCrae
In Flanders fields the poppies blow
Between the crosses row on row,
That mark our place; and in the sky
The larks, still bravely singing, fly
Scarce heard amid the guns below.
We are the Dead. Short days ago
We lived, felt dawn, saw sunset glow,
Loved and were loved, and now we lie
In Flanders fields.
Take up our quarrel with the foe:
To you from failing hands we throw
The torch; be yours to hold it high.
If ye break faith with us who die
We shall not sleep, though poppies grow
In Flanders fields.
