"With just over two months available this left me little lead-in time for extensive preparation of cartoon sampling and colour creation. The approach, therefore, for this piece needed to be especially methodical, meditative and technical," says Katharine. The image was woven vertically, starting at the bottom and working the way to the top which meant the more complex section of the image sat in the middle. If the image had been woven horizontally, or on its side, then the complexity of the graphite marks would have run throughout the project. By choosing to weave from the bottom of the design Katharine could work on each section with a more focused approach.

West Dean Tapestry Symposium, Friday 31 July 2015, West Dean College www.westdean.org.uk/tapestry. Speakers include: Professor Lesley Millar, Director of Anglo Japanese Textile Research Centre at the School of Craft and Design; and Yvonna Demczynska, Founder and curator of Flow Gallery in Notting Hill, a consultant for the Crafts Council. The Studio recently completed a 13-year project commissioned by Historic Scotland comprising a series of seven tapestries for Stirling Castle which recreate the 16th century The Hunt of the Unicorn (final unveiling June 2015). An exhibition Weaving of the Unicorn, Stirling Castle runs until 31 May 2016. Manhattan Katharine Swailes & Caron Penney, an exhibition of hand woven tapestry by two Master Weavers. Zimmer Stewart Gallery, Arundel, West Sussex 6-27 June 2015