Incredible Sampler

A sampler hand-sewn by a woman called Lorina Bulwer over 100 years ago is in the achieves of the Norfolk Museum Collections. Lorina was from Great Yarmouth, Norfolk, England,

Through her own angry words stitched into the sampler Lorina tells us about her family, neighbours and life.

Lorina clearly wanted her words to be read and for her story to be told. This is probably due to the difficult situation that she found herself in, and her belief that she had been terribly wronged. Lorina was resident in the Great Yarmouth workhouse lunatic ward when she made these samplers in the form of embroidered letters.

Much of Lorina’s text can be described as ‘thought-disturbed’ and it is sometimes hard to follow what she is trying to tell the reader. We do not know why she was described as a lunatic. Through these embroidered letters Lorina tells us the story of her life and her family, including poignantly, the anger she feels in being incarcerated and labelled as a lunatic.

The fabrics used are a mixture of dress and upholstery fabrics of varying quality changing the colour of her embroidery to make sure it can be read against the background fabric. With almost every word underlined and every word in capitals, the intention to communicate is very clear. The piece is 350cm by 340 cm in size.

I MISS LORINA BULWER WONDER THE PEOPLE HAVE NOT THROWN ALL THE SLOPS OF THIS NOTORIOUS BUG LICE AND FLEA TRIBE CAMBRIDGESHIRE SOCIALIST DEN AND PELTED HIM WITH ROTTEN EGGS AS HIS SOCIALIST ANN OLD FAGGOT WIFE DIED AND WENT TO HELL BLESSED MOTHER ANCY NANCY TICKLES MY FANCY DIED AND WENT TO HEAVEN TO LIVE IN PERPETUAL BLISS WITH THE LORD

http://norfolkmuseumscollections.org/collections/objects/object-548002897.html/#!/?q=Lorina

It's in the mail....

The Wee Care issue of SAGANews is in the mail and I have heard some members have actually received their copy!

Here is the cover in case you are looking out for it.

Royal Wedding Dress

Meghan's wedding dress was designed by British designer Clare Waight Keller, first female designer, for Givenchy.

Her 5 metre long veil is made of silk tulle trimmed with hand embroidered flowers, stitched in silk and organza, representing the  flora of the 53 countries in the Commonwealth of Nations.

The couple will now be known as their Royal Highnesses The Duke and Duchess of Sussex.

SAGA Convention Registration Opens for Non-Members!

Today is the  day you can register to attend the SAGA National Convention in Winston-Salem if you are not a SAGA member!

This is the first time that a Convention has been opened up to non-members. SAGA are doing this to expand their education outreach.

So want to see what SAGA is all about before you join? Then now is your chance!

More information on classes is available on the SAGA website www.smocking.org

Some Go-To Videos

If you are just beginning smocking and would like to learn some basic smocking techniques then the Smocking Arts Guild of America YouTube videos are a great way to learn.

The videos feature teachers Judith Adams and Vaune Pierce who take you through the  process of pleating your fabric and two basic smocking stitches, cable and trellis.

Watching the videos is like taking a mini class with these teachers and all in the comfort of your own home!

Even if you know how to smock,  you will pick up some great tips from watching these videos!

Judith Adams Pleating Your Fabric

Vaune Pierce Cable Stitch

Vaune Pierce Trellis Stitch

These videos would be good to watch as there is a new  SAGA Smock Along coming soon to celebrate 35 years of the Artisan Program and it might be good to brush up on the basics and be ready to Smock Along!

Convention Registration Opens!

SAGA Convention Registrations opens today at 10:00 AM Central Time!

If you have chosen your classes and are ready to register the easiest way is on-line at www.smocking.org

But you may also register by mail or phone.

Don't forget there are also pre-day events you can register for!

Laces, Silks and Linens

At a recent sale I found a wonderful little book issued in 1922 by the Woman's Institute of Domestic Arts and Sciences. The book is an instruction paper (with Examination Questions) on Laces, Silks and Linens.

The booklet is a wonderful source of information on the subjects in the title and most of the information is relevant today. The booklet begins with remarks about lace and is followed by the types of lace available and their uses with photographic examples. Care of lace is also covered.

                                      

The next section covers silk from the production to selection. This is followed by linens and tables of linens available and their uses. These tables also state the width of the fabric and the cost.

I am enjoying flipping through the pages and reading some of them a little at a time. By the time I have read the book, I should be able to answer the examination questions at the back!