This Month in Our Gallery
Contemporary Crewel EmbroideryPatterns from an exquisite set of period bed hangings are given new life by two indomitable women; one possessing a vision - the other, transforming it into a reality Anna Winter's dedication to restore her house, a tavern dating from 1750, to its historical splendor, became an odyssey which led to the replication of the original Hancock Bedhangings. She employed skilled craftsmen to get every period detail just right. In Elizabeth Creeden, she found a skilled craftswoman as well as a truly kindred spirit. In choosing the decor for the master bedroom, she came across an embroidered coverlet in a book. The bedhangings which Elizabeth was commissioned to make, were thought to have belonged to Thomas Hancock, a wealthy Boston merchant and were later inherited by his nephew, John Hancock, one of the signers of the Declaration of Independence. Although the coverlet's maker is anonymous, it is thought to be one of the most sophisticated surviving examples of New England Crewelwork. As most colonists preferred coordinated interiors, Anna likewise followed suit. She commissioned Elizabeth to replicate the same pattern for the curtains and crib fittings, as she was expecting a child. Only a person of great talent, skill and dedication would be willing to embark on the years of toil necessary to complete such a monumental assignment. Elizabeth, together with a group of accomplished stitchers, was up to the task. Every inch of fabric she worked, was touched by both hand and heart. At the last, it became a race to the finish line - the final embroidered crib bumper was set in place just in time for the new baby's arrival. The results of Anna's vision and Elizabeth's labors, present a breathtakingly dramatic display of artistic virtuosity.
Courtesy of the Historic Needlework Guild Elizabeth's rendition of the Hancock Bedhangings on the cover of Fine Lines magazine provided courtesy The Historical Needlework Guild, Inc. For more information on the Guild and its publications, see their website at http://www.historicneedlework.com
---------------
About two years ago, a nurse named Sarah Hacket, who spent many years working in Haiti, approached Cheryl Farley at the Old York Historical Society in York, ME, about whether the Society would be interested in setting up a program whereby local Haitian women could embroider reproduction designs on pillows to be sold through the Museum's shop. She suggested using the Mary Bulman Bedhangings as a basis for the designs. This venture would provide Haitian women with a means of support which would not otherwise be available to them. Likewise, the Museum would benefit since, as a non-profit organization, they could not afford the expense of having this type of work done locally and the retail cost would be too high for their customers, in any case. It has proven to be a win-win situation on both sides. Ms. Hacket, the Society's registrar and Ms. Farley selected the individual design elements to reproduce, which are stitched in wool on natural linen to embellish pillows, pin cushions, eyeglass cases and seat covers, depicting details from the hangings. These items are currently available for sale from the Museum Shop in York, ME, or by phone. For more information, call (207) 363-4974, email at oyhs@oldyork.org or visit their website http://www.oldyork.org
CLICK HERE FOR PAGE 2 OF OUR GALLERY FEATURE
GALLERY ARCHIVES
Click below if you missed past month's Gallery Features.Sampler Fest Christmas Sock Designs Part II The Mary Jane Collection Nan Halberg of Colorific Thread and Dye Works Studio Inspiration "Flower Power" Gallery of Designs
Exhibition of Original Christmas Sock and Stocking Designs
Judy Ritter
of Whiteworks Heirloom Christening GownsDaniele Bertin
the proud owner of Zip Mercerie in Le Havre, FranceThuve-Stua The mother-daughter design team of
Lillill Thuve and Anne-Stine ThuveCarol Tinson Design Booklets (England) Voirrey, Embroidery Centre, in the UK Christmas Sock Motif Contest Winners Barbara Greenberg, artist, sculptor "Lacemaker Extraordinaire", Marjo Timmers. New Caron Designer Patterns and Thread Colors
International Style Collection by Pam Davenport and new Watercolours and Waterlilies threads."Inch" Winifred Sharp
A true industry pioneer whose example and work are an inspiration to needleworkers everywhere.Nautical Contest Entries and Winner!
See the simple nautical motif transformed by these interpretations.The Breast Cancer Quilt Projects Parts I & II
"Raging Light" USA, Life Quilt for Breast Cancer CANADAContest #3 Winner and Participants
Italian Winner Giulia Manfredini, MDNorthern Virginia Chapter of the American Needlepoint Guild "Red Squared" by Stephanie Novatski
(Winner and other entries to Contest No. 2)Yarn Painting by Artist Robert Forman Karen Cohn, of Dragonfly Clothing Embellishment of, Deanna Van Assche Contest #1 Winner Roxanne Barkofsky and other contest entries The Wearable Art of, Kimberly Crum
