Lou Gardiner stitches for Liberty

Artist Lou Gardiner recently completed ‘The Lighthouse of Liberty Love’ quilt, commissioned by Liberty London to celebrate their 140th anniversary.

Artist Lou Gardiner recently completed her largest work to date. ‘The Lighthouse of Liberty Love’ is a tattoo-inspired embroidered quilt, commissioned by Liberty London to celebrate its 140th anniversary.

The theme was arrived upon due to the fact that the famed mock-Tudor department store was built from timbers of two naval ships. Historical maritime tattoos were the starting point for the work, which was completed in just 20 days. Classic red, black and blue combine with Gardiner’s trademark neon and metallic elements in a boldly British blanket full of nautical nuances. Swallows, waves, stars, Union Jack flags and mermaids were all free hand stitched on to the linen ground with a domestic sewing machine, then built up in layers of paint, ink, applique embellishment and embroidery.

The quilt will be on show in the window at Liberty London 8 – 18 May 2015, coinciding with the inaugural London Craft Week. It will then be on display inside the shop for another 11 months to celebrate the iconic store’s anniversary. Gardiner relished the opportunity to demonstrate wholeheartedly that embroidery is a ‘sexy and beautiful’ medium. Read about another sea themed private commission she completed earlier this year in COVER 38.