Celebrating
our Grandmothers

Celebrating our Grandmothers using plain sewing and embroidery to create a  memory fabric panel.

In this workshop we will be making a small scale fabric panel using simple stitches and embroidery, that evoke memories of our grandmothers or other ancestors. The session will start by sharing memories of our grandmothers or other older relatives and noting down some specific visual memories, especially connected to needlework. You will then be introduced to a range of plain sewing and embroidery techniques that you can use to create an individual interpretation of the woman your grandmother was, through choice of fabric, stitch, form and embellishment.

Exhibition

This workshop is part of the The Hidden Histories of Women: Researching, reflecting, and responding to our grandmothers’ histories exhibition. Find out more here.

Background

‘A hand well trained to the execution of various kinds of plain sewing will easily surmount the difficulties encountered in any sort of fancy-work’

Plain sewing is the first chapter of Encyclopedia of Needlework (1886), described as one of the most useful books for women’s education. Author Thérèse de Dillmont was ‘one of the most important pioneers in the international and multicultural enterprise of hobby needlework in the late nineteenth century’.

I inherited a copy of this book from my Grandmother who taught me a whole range of sewing and embroidery techniques, as well as how to knit, crochet and tatting. Born in 1899, my Grandmother was a patient and kind woman who lived just up the road from our home and was happy to share the domestic skills she had learnt during her younger years. My sister and I spent many happy hours with her sitting on her sofa learning different crafts and listening to her stories of growing up in the rural suburbs of north London.

Techniques covered in the Plain Sewing chapter include, running, back, herringbone and blanket stitch, gathering, oversewing and openwork and antique seams. Simple stitches that can be used to great effect when sewn with thought and care.

Please bring with you:

• Photographs of your Grandmother as a young, middle-aged or older woman, or any other relative or ancestor you would like to work with.
• Notebook and pencil.
• All fabric and threads will be supplied.
• Length of workshop: 3 hours

For more information, please contact gallery@uca.ac.uk.