Needlework Guild of Minnesota

This week I spoke at the Needlework guild of Minnesota.  I have another presentation for them later in the month.  They are a wonderful group, "Our mission is to foster the highest standard of excellence in the practice of needlework through programs of education and study."

I presented a history of girlhood sewing and brought many examples to share.  I setup in advance so attendees have time to look at the examples before and after the PowerPoint slides.  I also bring magnifying glasses so stitching can be closely examined.

I had so much fun I only took one photo!  Busy talking!

At the end of the table is a quilt, made by a girl aged 8. Also included were samplers, mending examples, sewing school lessons, books and a little table top box loom.

Lesson 5

Here are some close ups.
This is a mending sample for holes from a school lesson.  The more solid ares were holes in the fabric.

The girls had to use high contrasting thread so they could see their stitches and so the teacher could see to grade their work.

Clothing was precious and holes were mended to extend their life.

Darned ares in wool - Lesson Example

This is mending on a long tear in wool.  Can you find it in the mending threads?

Again high contrast threads are used in the lesson.

You can imagine a girl saying, "My life has been one long sewing lesson"

Plain sewing wasn't always fun or a desired activity.  Not all girls were willing participants.

Sorry to say, we don't know who F.V. was.
She did lovely work and I'm happy to own her final sampler.  It is one of many pieces I bring with the lecture and trunk show.


Dated Example
Cross stitch

1897

Marking Practice Piece

Girls were also taught to mark their linens. For this they used high contrast colors on purpose.
After working on school sewing samples they were ready to mark linens in their home and perhaps to build their trousseau/hope chest.

The year wasn't always included. Sometimes a number for household inventory purposes was used.
Sometimes the letters were formed by counting the even weave of the linen ground.  Other times they used coarse buckram or waste canvas over the ground fabric. The grid was removed when the stitching was completed.

4" Apron

Quarter sized garments were sewn as samples.  These are sometimes mistaken for doll clothing.

This small apron includes plain and fancy stitching.

While it might appear machine stitched, it is all hand sewn.

L.W. was a developing wonderful needlework skills.

Sampler stitched on perforated paper

This is the date on a school girl sampler.

Stitched on perforated paper and date 1852, it includes her name.

I was able to get lots of information on her and her life in Missouri and Colorado.

Before doing conservation framing, I took photos of the back. They are vibrant rich red and green threads with many other colors.







When did you do your first needlework?
Happy Stitching,
Dawn

PS
Contact me if your guild or sewing group is interested in a program.