Barbara Jones

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My piece "tea and sympathy" evokes a more light-hearted approach to funerals. The custom of tea and sympathy with friends and relatives after the funeral service, or the wake. Particularly the Irish wake which is a time for people to come and socialise and remember the departed person. It is more of a party than a funeral often going on well into the night.

This is the side of the whole affair that I decided to work on, uplifting rather than melancholic!With this in mind, I got out my knitting needles and lots bits of recycled satins and silks and knit a bodice with feathers woven into it. Then added a truly flamboyant net skirt with a rose print appliquéd on and printed at the bottom of the skirt.

On the table I made a centre piece of felt flowers, with felt tea vessels silk paper cups, to create a perfect tea and sympathy moment!