Needlewomen Collection

Between Decks on an Emigrant Ship, 1850
Engraving showing distressed needlewomen below decks on an emigrant ship, with their belongings, making themselves confortable before the voyage begins

"The Industrious Needlewomen" - painted by M. Trayer - from the Exhibition of French Artists, 1856. We are happy to learn that the Exhibition which has been opened in Liverpool

Flag Factory, 1913. Creator: Harris & Ewing. Flag Factory, 1913. Creator: Harris & Ewing
Flag Factory, 1913. Women making flags - Estados Unidos de Colombia - Republica de Nicaragua - Centro America'. The United States of Colombia was composed of nine sovereign states'

The "Duke of Portland", Emigrant Ship, for Port Phillip, 1850. Creator: Unknown
The "Duke of Portland", Emigrant Ship, for Port Phillip, 1850. Sailing ship leaving Gravesend in Kent with settlers bound for Australia

Emigrant Ship, between Decks, 1850. Creator: Unknown
Emigrant Ship, between Decks, 1850. Sailing ship bound for the colonies, showing:..female emigrants making their arrangements for the voyage...[The women were enabled to emigrate by] the movement

Emigrant Needlewomen on Deck, 1850. Creator: Unknown
Emigrant Needlewomen on Deck, 1850. Sailing ship bound for the colonies. The women were enabled to emigrate by...the movement on behalf of the distressed needlewomen or London...the ladies

Farm women, members of the "Helping Hand"club... near West Carlton, Yamhill County, Oregon, 1939
Farm women, members of the " Helping Hand" club, carefully roll up the quilt upon which they are working. Near West Carlton, Yamhill County, Oregon. General caption number 58-11

Farm women working on quilt, near West Carlton, Yamhill County, Oregon, 1939. Creator: Dorothea Lange
Farm women working on quilt. Near West Carlton, Yamhill County, Oregon. See general caption number 58

Farm women of the "Helping Hand"club display a pieced quilt... near West Carlton, Oregon, 1939
Farm women of the " Helping Hand" club display a pieced quilt which they are making for the benefit of one of their numbers. Near West Carlton, Yamhill County, Oregon

Embroidering King Edward VIIs Coronation Robes
Needlewomen embroidering King Edward VIIs coronation robes at the Royal School of Art Needlework. 1902

Needlewomen emigrating to Australia aboard the Madagascar
Needlewomen, made unemployed by mechanisation, emigrating to Australia aboard the Madagascar, with the help of a special fund. Date: 1853

Needlewomen emigrating to Australia - Home at Hatton Garden
A transit home at Hatton Garden for needlewomen, made unemployed by mechanisation, emigrating to Australia with the help of a special fund. Date: 1853

Scene between decks on an emigrant ship carrying poor needlewomen to Australia. At this date skilled workers were given sponsored passages to emigrate to the colonies

IMMIGRANT SHIP, 1850. English emigrant needlewomen aboard a ship to America. Wood engraving, 1850

The Female Emigrants Home, Hatton Garden, 1853
Engraving showing the main room of the Female Emigrants Home, Hatton Garden, London, 1853. A fund was set up in 1849 to send distressed needlewomen to Australia

Needlewomen / Trayer / Iln
Three industrious needlewomen sit around a table sewing

Emigratino to Australia
Shipboard scene on The Madagascar featuring distressed needlewomen

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"Needlewomen: Stitching Together Lives Across Time and Continents" From the cramped quarters between decks on an emigrant ship in 1850 to the farm women of Oregon's "Helping Hand" club in 1939, they have long played a vital role in shaping communities and cultures. These unsung heroes, often overlooked but never forgotten, used their skilled hands to create beauty amidst hardship. In Dorothea Lange's powerful photographs, we catch glimpses of these resilient women as they gather together, working diligently on quilts that tell stories of perseverance and unity. Their nimble fingers meticulously piece together fabric scraps, weaving threads of friendship and support with every stitch. But needlework was not limited to domestic settings alone. In scenes captured aboard the Madagascar or within Hatton Garden's Female Emigrants Home, we witness needlewomen embarking on journeys across vast oceans in search of new beginnings. They carried with them not just needles and thread but also dreams woven into each delicate embroidery. Whether embroidering King Edward VII's coronation robes or creating practical garments for everyday wear, these talented artisans showcased their craftsmanship while leaving an indelible mark on history. Through their workmanship, they bridged gaps between continents and generations – connecting past to present through intricate patterns passed down from one generation to another. The legacy endures today as countless individuals continue this ancient art form with pride and reverence. From traditional techniques preserved by dedicated enthusiasts to modern interpretations pushing boundaries within contemporary art spaces – the spirit of these remarkable women lives on. So let us celebrate the skillful hands that shaped our world – whether it be those farm women laboring under Oregon skies or those brave souls who crossed seas seeking brighter futures. Let us honor their resilience, creativity, and unwavering determination as we recognize the profound impact made by needlewomen throughout history.