Grieve the Laurel — A5 or A3 Sampler Kit (Fabric/Calico)

Available in Large or Small Sizes | Printed on RHS / Laura Ashley Fabric

Grieve the Laurel is the companion piece to Still His Breath Filled Her Body, both part of a powerful series exploring the erasure of women’s autonomy through myth and memory.

This piece reimagines the myth of Daphne, the water nymph who fled the god Apollo’s unwanted advances. Rather than protect his daughter from harm, her father, the river god, transformed her into a laurel tree, silencing her existence in order to “save” her. But Apollo, undeterred, still took. He adorned himself with her leaves, creating the laurel crown - a lasting symbol of victory built from the body of the woman he pursued.

The story, often told as a tragic romance, is here reclaimed as a study in power, entitlement, and posthumous glorification. Grieve the Laurel asks us to look again at what we celebrate; and at whose expense.

All are printed on a selection of vintage floral fabrics (often Laura Ashley, RHS, or similar botanical patterns), each piece becomes a blend of classical beauty and quiet rage.

Available Sizes:
Large (A3)
This would take an experienced/intermediate stitcher, 6–12 weeks, depending on your pace and materials used.
Small (A5)
Ideal for quicker projects—most take 1.5 to 3 weeks to complete.

Note:
Using **metallic thread** will elevate the piece visually, but be aware—it significantly increases stitch time due to its difficulty. Be patient. The results are worth it.

Why This Piece Matters:
Apollo’s laurel crown has become a symbol of honour and glory—but its origin is grief, loss, and violence. This piece is a memorial to Daphne, and to all women whose bodies and identities have been taken, reshaped, and celebrated in someone else's name.