On a recent visit to the Powerhouse Museum Sydney, I was thrilled to discover Myra Mogg, an inspiring stitcher and woman. Myra lived in Mudgee, rural NSW and produced exquisite examples of needlecraft through the 1930’s. Finding Myra It was as I wandered through the exhibition of the museum’s shoe collection, “Recollect: Shoes” that I found three pairs […]
April 23, 2015 By Leave a Comment
World War 1 Soldier’s needlepoint
Needlepoint and World War 1 history If I think of World War 1 soldiers I don’t immediately think of needlepoint and embroidery. I found this pair of Weldon’s Antique tapestry (needlepoint) magazines and as I read the brown and crumbling pages it took me a while to realise that the needlepoint featured had all been stitched by disabled British World War […]
April 24, 2014 By Leave a Comment
WW1 Soldiers’ Embroidery Industry
The Industry World War 1 and needlepoint don’t immediately go together, but on the eve of this significant Anzac Day I thought I’d share a story that does link them in unexpected ways. Last weekend I came across a pair of ancient British tapestry (needlepoint) magazines. I was amazed to read the needlepoint throughout the magazines […]
April 4, 2014 By Leave a Comment
Needlepoint accessories: Pincushions-Part 4
I was so inspired by my research on pincushions that I decided to offer a free pattern so that you can make your own. And this is not any old pincushion, but rather one that sharpens every time you use it! Some interesting facts about pincushions: Pincushions or pin pillows date back to the Middle […]
March 21, 2014 By Leave a Comment
Pins and needles: Needlepoint accessories-Part 3
Much to my delight, I have spent a surprisingly interesting few days learning about the fascinating history of pins and needles. My research reminded me that pins and needles have performed a great many functions through history. Did you know that archeologists have found: Neolithic needles in what is now south west France that are estimated to […]
March 9, 2014 By Leave a Comment
Scissors, the cutting edge: needlepoint accessories Part 2
It is rare that a sewing project does not require a pair of scissors. The earliest scissors are were made in ancient Egypt in about 1500 BCE. The metal used was bronze and shaped like a U with sharpened ends. In about 100 AD the Romans designed cutting tools which looked more like […]
February 26, 2014 By 1 Comment
Baskets, boxes and bags: the accessories of needlepoint-Part 1
Sewing baskets have been an important part of women’s lives for hundreds of years. It is easy to forget that before the industrial revolution all clothes, underwear, bedding, tea towels and washing cloths were all made by hand. Many of these day to day objects were decorated with beautiful stitches, and a flourish of highly […]
