There are so many stories behind stitches. I've done every form of textile work. Because the labor takes time, stories evolve. The original goal can end or change. The skills of the artist can improve. Sometimes there is a break in the endeavor, in my case, a decade sometimes. During that time, my interest and patience waned. I've knitted cancer caps for a person who chose to not suffer chemo and thus did not need caps. I embroidered countless patches in the 70s for CB-loving friends of my parents. I've spent years making lavish needlepoint pillows with the focus of a Victorian lady. But I've never been a quilter. I love the modern op-art quilts made by today's contemporary artists. But I most poignantly remember the mothers and lovers carrying their hand made squares down Christopher St, New York City, in 1988 with bearers carrying a candle beside them. Everyone was crying, remembering the person who had inspired their square. Stories and textiles. Powerful stuff.
That sounds like a very moving memory of the Christopher St procession, Marjorie. I have never heard that reported before, and what you have written here would make a very good piece of your own (no pun intended). Memories of making things for others, interspersed with personal loss and the tides of history. Bea Stitches writes so interestingly about quilts (as well as Wolf Hall!) Stories and textiles are powerful indeed. Thank you for your wonderful words.
Thanks June, it is such an intriguing object, isn't it? I plan to ask Carolyn if she has made any more discoveries since she wrote this, but she's definitely done enough research to put forward a convincing theory!
Thanks June, it is indeed, and Carolyn has found information on every one of them - just astonishing. Love that in many cases the whole family got involved - men really did (and do) enjoy stitching too!
I'm still hoping that the simple daisy-like square image signed ML was embroidered by my grandmother , Margaret Lyttelton, when she was six years old, Thank you for sharing this article Ann.
Thanks Andrew, for reading and commenting. Yes, I agree that this is a strong possibility... and that has given me an idea, to mention this in my forthcoming post about your great-grandmother, Kathleen Lyttelton. I'm rewriting my introduction to the Cambridge Ladies' Society 1890-1914, then will go through its members one by one...
Fascinating piece, thank you Ann for hosting it! The main character in a novel I've just started writing is a stitcher of quilts (among other things), so I'll definitely go and see the quilt in question at the Museum of Cambridge.
What a wonderful quilt and fascinating story behind it. I’ve just disappeared down a rabbit warren of links from the exhibition! So much to discover! Thank you.
Like you, I love a good evidence-based theory, Maureen Theresa, and objects that are rich in history - as Emma Darwin says, they are catnip to researchers!
There are so many stories behind stitches. I've done every form of textile work. Because the labor takes time, stories evolve. The original goal can end or change. The skills of the artist can improve. Sometimes there is a break in the endeavor, in my case, a decade sometimes. During that time, my interest and patience waned. I've knitted cancer caps for a person who chose to not suffer chemo and thus did not need caps. I embroidered countless patches in the 70s for CB-loving friends of my parents. I've spent years making lavish needlepoint pillows with the focus of a Victorian lady. But I've never been a quilter. I love the modern op-art quilts made by today's contemporary artists. But I most poignantly remember the mothers and lovers carrying their hand made squares down Christopher St, New York City, in 1988 with bearers carrying a candle beside them. Everyone was crying, remembering the person who had inspired their square. Stories and textiles. Powerful stuff.
That sounds like a very moving memory of the Christopher St procession, Marjorie. I have never heard that reported before, and what you have written here would make a very good piece of your own (no pun intended). Memories of making things for others, interspersed with personal loss and the tides of history. Bea Stitches writes so interestingly about quilts (as well as Wolf Hall!) Stories and textiles are powerful indeed. Thank you for your wonderful words.
What a fascinating object, and a fascinating - and convincing - theory.
Thanks June, it is such an intriguing object, isn't it? I plan to ask Carolyn if she has made any more discoveries since she wrote this, but she's definitely done enough research to put forward a convincing theory!
To have had so many people stitching on this quilt is rather astonishing!
Thanks June, it is indeed, and Carolyn has found information on every one of them - just astonishing. Love that in many cases the whole family got involved - men really did (and do) enjoy stitching too!
I'm still hoping that the simple daisy-like square image signed ML was embroidered by my grandmother , Margaret Lyttelton, when she was six years old, Thank you for sharing this article Ann.
Thanks Andrew, for reading and commenting. Yes, I agree that this is a strong possibility... and that has given me an idea, to mention this in my forthcoming post about your great-grandmother, Kathleen Lyttelton. I'm rewriting my introduction to the Cambridge Ladies' Society 1890-1914, then will go through its members one by one...
I've just realised she was born in 1882 and thus was nine or ten years old if she embroidered the square.
Thanks Andrew! That seems a perfect age for your grandmother to be involved- and her needlework skills were certainly impressive.
Fascinating piece, thank you Ann for hosting it! The main character in a novel I've just started writing is a stitcher of quilts (among other things), so I'll definitely go and see the quilt in question at the Museum of Cambridge.
What a wonderful quilt and fascinating story behind it. I’ve just disappeared down a rabbit warren of links from the exhibition! So much to discover! Thank you.
Like you, I love a good evidence-based theory, Maureen Theresa, and objects that are rich in history - as Emma Darwin says, they are catnip to researchers!