Tristan's 37 Degrees South Knitwear Brand received a commission to knit a patchwork projection screen that has been erected in France for presentations during 2014.

Patchwork Knitted Screen Installed

We have received photos of the installation and use of the knitted screen from Cyril Verde which show how the traditional knitted woollen patches have been transformed into the ACME 37° South Projection Screen erected in France and used for presentations as shown below during 2014

ACME = A Company That makes Everything!

The prototype model Building the frame
Tristan woollen patchwork shapes in place Outdoor presentation space
More views of the outdoor presentation space
A Tristan First Day Cover projected onto the screen
during a museum display		 Another image projected onto the screen.
Merci Islanders

How the patches were made

The commission

Tristan da Cunha likes a challenge so the knitters of the 37 Degrees South Knitwear Brand were delighted to receive a challenging order for an island wool patchwork screen. This began when Mr Cyril Verde contacted Tristan's Postmistress Iris Green to see if a screen could be produced for him to exhibit in France. In 2012 the details passed to Tourism Co-ordinator Dawn Repetto and the formation that year of the bespoke knitting team and the re-branding of Tristan's woollens as 37 Degrees South Knitwear meant that anything was now possible.

Planning

Dawn liaised with Mr Verde and Mr Sebastien Remy regarding their exact requirements. Dawn received a sketch to give an idea of what the screen might look like, and the dimensions of 560cm X 220cm. It was then drawn to scale by Shirley Squibb containing fifty seven patches. After being approved by Mr Verde and Mr Remy no less that forty eight Tristan Island knitters were briefed to begin production.

Production

Each patch was a specific size and pattern, therefore to ensure fairness there was a draw issuing each knitter with her piece, nine of whom were given two of the smallest segments. Then the eager ladies got to work and before long the patches started arriving at the Tourism Centre. They were then sewn together as they and the screen soon started to take shape, growing at an incredible rate until it was completed on Tuesday 26th November. The screen has now been dispatched and the island eagerly awaits news of its safe arrival and of its exhibition in France.

Next Challenge

The Tristan Knitwear Team want to hear from any one else with a special woollen product in mind.

Left:
Shirley Squibb's design for the
57 patchwork shapes making up
the 560cm X 220cm screen.

Right:
Shirley Squibb holds the draw bag
as Dawn Repetto picks out names
to be linked to a particular
patchwork segment.

Knitters with their patches

Gladys Lavarello Mary Lavarello Trina Repetto Rosemary Glass
Agnes Lavarello Sandra Rogers Hilary Rogers Jane Repetto
Rose Glass Martha Glass Catherine Glass Sharon Glass
Evelyn Hagan Tina Glass Joan Repetto Amy Green
Judy Green Jackie Lavarello Doreen Swain Priscilla Hagan
Gracie Glass Ida Green Sylvia Green Glynis Swain
Elizabeth Rogers Louisa Green Jeanette Lavarello Stella Rogers
Denise Rogers Maureen Green Christine Swain Wendy Green
Margaret Swain Joyce Hagan Judith Green Monica Glass
Caroline Rogers Rhoda Rogers Rita Repetto Debbie Swain
Vanessa Lavarello Sheila Glass Nora Swain Miranda Repetto
Alison Swain Lillie Swain Joanne Green Donna Green

Assembling the Screen

Above Left: The knitted patches assembled waiting to be sewn together

Above Center: The screen taking shape

Right: The completed 560cm X 220cm screen.