National Smocking Month Displays

My chapter, Thimbleberry in Connecticut put on a display at a local library for National Smocking Month (February).  We have done this for many years and it always gets lots of attention. We also teach a basic class and the library promote the class (and therefore our chapter) for free.

Central Savannah River Stitchers (Beech Island, South Carolina) and Southern Belle Smockers (Augusta, Georgia) also put on a display at the Columbia County Library in Evans, Georgia.

 

And so did Elegant Stitchers of Cary,  North Carolina:

 Did your chapter put on a display or stitch in public? Don't forget to let me know so it can go in the next issue of SAGANews Chapter Chatter!

SAGA Retreat Contest 2017

Get your creative juices flowing and design and make an original 

 Accessory 

to enter into the Retreat contest! 

Read the rules that follow and get started for the Bedford Glen Retreat!

1. The item must be an original entry using any one or more of the four SAGA areas of study (EMB, FHS, FMS or SMK).

2. Must be a completed entry.  (No UFO's!)

4. One entry per site, per person. Entry must be different for each location.

5. One winner per site determined by attendee ballot.

6. You need not be present to enter or win. Entry must be able to fit into a medium flat rate box. FED EX 12 3/8" x 3" x 17 1/2" or USPS 12 5/8" x 11 7/8" x 3". Return paid shipping label must be supplied and included in the box.

(This is so everyone has an opportunity to participate even if they cannot personally attend). 

Entries for Bedford Glen may mailed to be delivered no later than March 24, 2017.

Please see SAGANews Volume 38 Issue 1 for the entry form and address for mailed entries 

(The dictionary definition of Accessory- an object or device that is not essential in itself but adds to the beauty, convenience, or effectiveness of something else).

I look forward to seeing some wonderful entries!

Pisces

Pisces-my star sign. Two fishes swimming in opposite directions- but I hope not to end up on a plate as this poem suggests! (and yes, the price tag says $2.00- which is what the set of 10 star sign cocktail napkins cost me, maybe if all 12 had been there I would have had to pay lots more!).

Fashion on Stamps

The US Post Office just issued a set of stamps commemorating the fashion designer Oscar de la Renta.

They are Forever stamps, so if you buy them you can use them even if the cost of regular postage increases.
      

Valentine Hearts

I found this free smocking design at creationsbymichie.com under the 'Free' heading.

Michie Moonie designed the plate and I thought it would be nice to feature it today, Valentine's Day.

The design is picture smocking, but very simple and quick to execute.

It would look used on a bonnet or as an insert for a jumper or dress. It would also be a nice design for Wee Care. Even just using one of the hearts in the centre of a gown (such as the one by Tess Ellenwood designed for the SAGA Smock Along last year).

My thanks to Michie for allowing me to use the design.

SAGANews Volume 38 Issue 1

Hopefully you renewed your SAGA membership for 2017?

 As now the first issue of SAGANews for 2017 will soon be in the mail!

As a teaser, this is the cover you will be looking for.           

                   

I hope you enjoy it!

If you did not renew your SAGA membership-sorry you will be missing out, but renew now so you get back on the mailing list for the rest of the year!

        
    

History Stitched onto a Sack

A sack Rose, a slave and mother, gave to her 9-year-old daughter the day she was sold away. They never saw each other again.  

The stitching on the sack was done by Ruth Middleton, who lived in Philadelphia, in 1921, to record this piece of her family history. The sack somehow ended up for sale, most likely given away to a charity shop when Ruth died in 1988. 

She was sold at age 9 in South Carolina

it held a tattered dress 3 handfulls of

pecans a braid of Roses hair. Told her

It be filled with my LOVE always

she never saw her again

Ashley is my grandmother

Ruth Middleton

1921

It was discovered at a flea market some 20 years later, which is when the research into the names and dates was carried out. Mark Ausslander, an associate professor of anthropology at Central Washington University,was one of the researchers. The sack tells a part of American history and today it is on display in the Museum of African American History and Culture in Washington D.C.

 To read more about the sack visit:

http://kuow.org/post/slave-mothers-love-56-carefully-stitched-words
Mark Ausslander's research appeared in the academic journal Southern Spaces. Ashley's sack is on loan from Middleton Place to the Smithsonian National Museum of African American History and Culture. 

National Smocking Month

February is here again and it is, therefore, National Smocking Month!

Is your chapter holding a special event to promote the art of smocking? 

Maybe your chapter has planned a display at a local library or other public place?

 

Maybe you have planned a Stitch in Public event?

Whatever you have organized is a good thing as it will promote the art of smocking and the Smocking Arts Guild of America!

I look forward to seeing some Chapter Chatter items on National Smocking month in my email box! saganews@smocking.org