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Network hear about the history of quilting
NUMBERS were swollen at the recent meeting of the Wesley Memorial Methodist Church Women's Network.
Mrs Avril Kitchen and members of the Epworth Quilters Group gave a talk to the gathering on the art of quilting, explaining that the craft had begun five thousand years ago.
Pharaohs were found wearing quilted jackets and there were also examples from China and Siberia.
The Crusaders brought the patchwork to the European countries making bed covers, robes and tapestries, none of which survive today.
In Elizabethan times silks and fine materials came from France and it was an occupation for the rich. The poor did their patchwork from the left over scraps.
In 1870 American block patterns came over and more than 25 million women patchwork. In the south west of America girls had to quilt 12 covers before they could marry. Many rented sewing machines from Singer as the work can be done either by hand or machine.
The Amish made their own designs in plain dark colours and stitched by hand.
Over the many years quilting craft has been kept going by Welsh and Durham quilters. Avril brought many examples of patchwork for members to see.
At an earlier meeting Jim Russell talked on life at sea on a luxury liner. Jim and his wife Sheila cruised the Caribbean visiting eight islands.
The ship carries 1,760 passengers and guests enjoyed lectures, dancing, patchwork and billiards.
There were shows with pianists, conjurers, ventriloquists and dancers, and a choir made up of guests, and Sheila, sang songs from the shows. Because handicapped Sheila is in a wheelchair all their sightseeing was done by taxi and consequently saw many poor areas.
Jim showed photographs, sample menus and daily news sheets. He finished his talk with the Captain's story of Heavens Grocery Store. MW
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Weather for Epworth
Wednesday 08 February 2012
Today
Sunny spells
Temperature: -3 C to 1 C
Wind Speed: 10 mph
Wind direction: East
Tomorrow
Cloudy
Temperature: -1 C to 1 C
Wind Speed: 9 mph
Wind direction: South
