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'Samplers' workshops at the Harris Museum

21/6/2013

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The Harris Museum in Preston have an amazing collection of samplers done by adults and children, some as young as six. A group of us went to view the collection and we were asked to run two workshops taking a modern day look at how to start out. Chris Cannon and Barbara Ryan offered to lead the workshops and other members came along to help. We started by viewing a small selection of the collection.
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As well as the 'old' samplers, two of our members, Barbara Ryan and Anne Reading had brought along their own work, which was much admired.
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Here are some pictures from our first workshop with Chris overseeing the stitching. You can see Anne's framed sampler in the middle of the table. An inspiration to us all!
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... and everyone hard at work in the second workshop.
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Many, many thanks to Chris and Barbara for leading the workshops and for Gillian Hunt who organised and promoted them. 
A further selection of samplers made in Preston is currently on view in the 'Discover Preston' exhibition on the first floor of the Museum. It's very interesting and the background to the samplers has been researched by the curators, giving an insight into the history of the people who stitched them and the places featured. 


Dee and I also attended a most interesting talk given by Keith Vernon. Thanks to Dee for this account of Keith's talk.


“Plain Sewing for Plain Girls”              
A talk given at the Harris by Keith Vernon

Keith began by expanding on the title of his talk .The “plain girls”, apart from lending symmetry to his title, referred to ordinary girls attending elementary schools in Victorian times.

Needlework at that time was a very important part of the curriculum for girls. One might wonder why girls couldn’t just practise this skill at home? But the women in their households were increasingly being drawn into the workplace, such as the cotton mills, and domestic duties including needlework, were not being passed on in the home.

In upper class circles, there was much emphasis on “fancy” needlework rather than utilitarian, practical sewing and as such, was one of the accomplishments along with music, water colour painting and riding, which helped a girl attract a “good” husband.

In 1862 the Revised code of the Education department, stated that grants would be given to schools teaching Reading, Writing and Arithmetic and Plain needlework, which included darning, mending, marking and knitting. The schoolroom at this time was almost the workroom for the local landowner and household items would be sent for repair.

The 1870 code declared that grants would be withdrawn were needlework not taught. By 1876 needlework was being inspected in schools, its quality judged on what girls were sewing on the day of inspection.

In 1888, the Cross Commission found that girls were sewing for 3-4 hours per day and doing less Arithmetic than boys. Needlework was viewed as a potential economic benefit as well as instilling the virtues of Domesticity, Decorum and Decoration.

1905 saw educationalists viewing needlework in terms of hand-eye coordination. Garment making became part of a more progressive curriculum and there were health and safety concerns, for teachers to be aware of, such as eye or hand strain.

In 1909 it was stated that, “It should be looked upon as a matter of shame, that a girl should reach a woman’s estate, without knowing what use she could make of her needle.”


We wouldn't want to go back to those days but it's sad to think that needlework now seems to be completely overlooked in our schools? Tell us what you think?
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June Dayschool 'Fibre Fusion' by Hilary Naghasia

17/6/2013

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Another Saturday and another Embroiderers’ Guild meeting - how time flies from one meeting to the next. This one was the last before the Summer break.

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Hilary introduced us to the delights of ‘Fibre Fusion’ with an introductory talk about silk and its origins from China over 5000 years ago, when the story was told that the Empress was sat drinking her tea under the shade of a mulberry tree when a silk cocoon fell into her cup. The warm tea softened the gum and fine silk threads unraveled as she removed the cocoon. Thus silk was discovered as a fibre and consequently made into fabrics.


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We passed around samples of cocoons, noils, throwsters, tussah, cocoon strippings and carrier rods. Basically the products of the silk spinning industry - some were beautiful smooth and glossy threads, others rather like cotton wool and some still stiff from the natural gum.


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Then to work, playing with the fibres to see how they worked. With a plastic sheet on our table and a layer of tulle we gently pulled away the natural coloured fibres to form a layer. Note: gently, too firmly and the delicate fibres proved how strong silk can be!

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Once this was done we folded the tulle over the silk and brushed silk paper medium into it. Turning over the tulle we continued to brush medium into the fibres. 
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Next we removed the tulle and the fibres were put onto a board covered in foil and a little amount of Vaseline (the release medium). At this stage the ‘new’ material could be manipulated into all sorts of shapes to give texture to it and then using a heat gun or hairdryer it was dried ready for use.

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Hilary showed us some of her work, including a stunning hanging which when held in the light revealed the intricacies of the different types of silk we were using.

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After lunch we launched into coloured work having chosen our samples. We added flat seeds, leaves, coloured tissue, threads and motifs from serviettes, which were held firmly with more silk before brushing with the medium.

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The finished pieces were so different and hopefully many will be used for the exhibition work next September - 'Follow the Thread'.

Thanks to Hilary for another exciting and enjoyable day school. She certainly inspired me to have a go at another new technique. Watch this space!

Ann Reading


As well as the Dayschool, Margaret's 'Chairman's Challenge' was to design a luggage label. Here are the entries - 
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After a great deal of deliberation  -  they didn't make it easy for me!  -  a choice was made
The winner was

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This multi-layered tag with a tropical paradise and stamps taken from a passport

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Made by our Secretary, Dee, seen here adding to her many talents!

So, as they say in the movies "That's all folks!" - at least for another year. It has been a year when we have moved forward a great deal as a Branch. We have gained some brilliant new members, added to our keen and enthusiastic committee , done some interesting and exciting work and gained a website. Next year promises to be even more exciting with our exhibition at Barton Grange in September, 2014. So ... "Follow the Thread". See you there!


We extend an invitation to anyone interested in joining us to come along to our next meeting on 7th September, 2014, and have a look at what we do. You will be made welcome, whatever your 'skill level'. You don't need to become a member straight away - but we think you'll want to!
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