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Sewing Collection (#8)

"In Love with the Art of Sewing: From Betsy Ross to Margot Fonteyn" Sewing has always been a labor of love, an art form that weaves together history and creativity

Background imageSewing Collection: Study for Friends - Nanna Bendixson, c.1907. Creator: Hanna Pauli

Study for Friends - Nanna Bendixson, c.1907. Creator: Hanna Pauli
Study for Friends - Nanna Bendixson, c.1907. Swedish painter sewing in the light of a kerosene lamp

Background imageSewing Collection: Costumes de Différents Pays, Paysannes des Environs de Moscow, c1797

Costumes de Différents Pays, Paysannes des Environs de Moscow, c1797. Creators: Jacques Grasset de Saint-Sauveur
Costumes de Differents Pays, Paysannes des Environs de Moscow, c1797

Background imageSewing Collection: Costumes de Différents Pays, Hongroise, c1797. Creators: Jacques Grasset de Saint-Sauveur

Costumes de Différents Pays, Hongroise, c1797. Creators: Jacques Grasset de Saint-Sauveur, LF Labrousse
Costumes de Differents Pays, Hongroise, c1797

Background imageSewing Collection: Lady Mary Howard, c1540. Creator: Unknown

Lady Mary Howard, c1540. Creator: Unknown
Lady Mary Howard, c1540

Background imageSewing Collection: Recueil des modes de la cour de France, Dame en Robbe, Bound 1703-1704

Recueil des modes de la cour de France, Dame en Robbe, Bound 1703-1704. Creators: Henri Bonnart, Jean-Baptiste Bonnart
Recueil des modes de la cour de France, Dame en Robbe, Bound 1703-1704

Background imageSewing Collection: Recueil des modes de la cour de France, Dame de Qualité en Habit de Chambre, Bound 1703-1704;

Recueil des modes de la cour de France, Dame de Qualité en Habit de Chambre, Bound 1703-1704;. Creator: Henri Bonnart
Recueil des modes de la cour de France, Dame de Qualite en Habit de Chambre, Bound 1703-1704;

Background imageSewing Collection: Johann Vultejus, 1605-1684, c17th century. Creator: Anon

Johann Vultejus, 1605-1684, c17th century. Creator: Anon
Johann Vultejus, 1605-1684, c17th century

Background imageSewing Collection: Recueil des modes de la cour de France, Homme de Qualité, Bound 1703-1704. Creator: Henri Bonnart

Recueil des modes de la cour de France, Homme de Qualité, Bound 1703-1704. Creator: Henri Bonnart
Recueil des modes de la cour de France, Homme de Qualite, Bound 1703-1704

Background imageSewing Collection: Johan Adler Salvius, 1590-1652, c17th century. Creator: Anon

Johan Adler Salvius, 1590-1652, c17th century. Creator: Anon
Johan Adler Salvius, 1590-1652, c17th century

Background imageSewing Collection: AI IMAGE - Portrait of King Henry VIII, 1540s, (2023). Creator: Heritage Images

AI IMAGE - Portrait of King Henry VIII, 1540s, (2023). Creator: Heritage Images
AI IMAGE - Portrait of King Henry VIII, 1540s, (2023). Henry (1491-1547) succeeded his father Henry VII as King of England in 1509

Background imageSewing Collection: Woman's dress, Europe, white cotton plain weave (muslin) with cutwork and cotton embroidery, c.1830

Woman's dress, Europe, white cotton plain weave (muslin) with cutwork and cotton embroidery, c.1830. Bonnet: c.1830; Bag: 1800-1825; Shoes: 1830-1840

Background imageSewing Collection: van Brienen, Russian Councilor of Legation in Stockholm, 1815. Creator: Christian Horneman

van Brienen, Russian Councilor of Legation in Stockholm, 1815. Creator: Christian Horneman
van Brienen, Russian Councilor of Legation in Stockholm, 1815

Background imageSewing Collection: Open-Air Studio. From A Home (26 watercolours). Creator: Carl Larsson

Open-Air Studio. From A Home (26 watercolours). Creator: Carl Larsson
Open-Air Studio. From A Home (26 watercolours), Unknown date

Background imageSewing Collection: Saint Nicholas, 1563. Creator: Jacques de Poindre

Saint Nicholas, 1563. Creator: Jacques de Poindre
Saint Nicholas, 1563

Background imageSewing Collection: Portrait of Abbot Nicholas à Spira, 1563. Creator: Jacques de Poindre

Portrait of Abbot Nicholas à Spira, 1563. Creator: Jacques de Poindre
Portrait of Abbot Nicholas a Spira, 1563

Background imageSewing Collection: Design for an Embroidered Border, c.1765-1775. Creator: Charles-Germain de Saint-Aubin

Design for an Embroidered Border, c.1765-1775. Creator: Charles-Germain de Saint-Aubin
Design for an Embroidered Border, c.1765-1775. Flowers and tassels

Background imageSewing Collection: Ulrika Eleonora d.y. 1688-1741, Queen of Sweden, Original: 1730; This version: 8 February 2007

Ulrika Eleonora d.y. 1688-1741, Queen of Sweden, Original: 1730; This version: 8 February 2007, 13:26:11 (original upload date)

Background imageSewing Collection: Ulrika Eleonora d.y. 1688-1741, Queen of Sweden, 1730. Creator: Martin van Meytens

Ulrika Eleonora d.y. 1688-1741, Queen of Sweden, 1730. Creator: Martin van Meytens
Ulrika Eleonora d.y. 1688-1741, Queen of Sweden, 1730

Background imageSewing Collection: James I of England (1566-1625), c17th century. Creator: John de Critz the Elder

James I of England (1566-1625), c17th century. Creator: John de Critz the Elder
James I of England (1566-1625), c17th century

Background imageSewing Collection: Per Brahe d.y.1602-1680, 1679. Creator: Anon

Per Brahe d.y.1602-1680, 1679. Creator: Anon
Per Brahe d.y.1602-1680, 1679

Background imageSewing Collection: Portrait of a Noblewoman, 1617. Creator: Unknown

Portrait of a Noblewoman, 1617. Creator: Unknown
Portrait of a Noblewoman, 1617

Background imageSewing Collection: The Pope Clemens XIII, c18th century. Creator: Anton Raphael Mengs

The Pope Clemens XIII, c18th century. Creator: Anton Raphael Mengs
The Pope Clemens XIII, c18th century

Background imageSewing Collection: Northwest Coast, c.1927. Creator: Edward Sheriff Curtis

Northwest Coast, c.1927. Creator: Edward Sheriff Curtis
Northwest Coast, c.1927. Female portrait

Background imageSewing Collection: Two sewing women, 1865-1930. Creator: Jac van Looij

Two sewing women, 1865-1930. Creator: Jac van Looij
Two sewing women, 1865-1930

Background imageSewing Collection: Peter III, 1728-62, Duke of Holstein-Gottorp, c18th century. Creator: Anon

Peter III, 1728-62, Duke of Holstein-Gottorp, c18th century. Creator: Anon
Peter III, 1728-62, Duke of Holstein-Gottorp, c18th century

Background imageSewing Collection: Man's waistcoat, possibly England, c.1760. Creator: Unknown

Man's waistcoat, possibly England, c.1760. Creator: Unknown
Man's waistcoat, possibly England, c.1760

Background imageSewing Collection: Siesta in the Garden, 1917. Creator: Karl Nordström

Siesta in the Garden, 1917. Creator: Karl Nordström
Siesta in the Garden, 1917

Background imageSewing Collection: The Embroiderer, mid-late 18th century. Creator: Jean-Simeon Chardin

The Embroiderer, mid-late 18th century. Creator: Jean-Simeon Chardin
The Embroiderer, mid-late 18th century

Background imageSewing Collection: Maria Eleonora, 1599-1655, Queen of Sweden, c17th century. Creator: Anon

Maria Eleonora, 1599-1655, Queen of Sweden, c17th century. Creator: Anon
Maria Eleonora, 1599-1655, Queen of Sweden, c17th century

Background imageSewing Collection: The Artist Eva Bonnier, 1889. Creator: Sven Richard Bergh

The Artist Eva Bonnier, 1889. Creator: Sven Richard Bergh
The Artist Eva Bonnier, 1889

Background imageSewing Collection: Portrait of a Man Wearing a Black Beret, c.1530. Creator: Dosso Dossi

Portrait of a Man Wearing a Black Beret, c.1530. Creator: Dosso Dossi
Portrait of a Man Wearing a Black Beret, c.1530

Background imageSewing Collection: Costumes de Différents Pays, Femmes Turque Avecleur Tanndour, c1797

Costumes de Différents Pays, Femmes Turque Avecleur Tanndour, c1797. Creator: Jacques Grasset de Saint-Sauveur
Costumes de Differents Pays, Femmes Turque Avecleur Tanndour, c1797

Background imageSewing Collection: Costume Plate (Morlachisches Mädchen (Brautkostüm) aus Istrien), 19th century. Creator: Unknown

Costume Plate (Morlachisches Mädchen (Brautkostüm) aus Istrien), 19th century. Creator: Unknown
Costume Plate (Morlachisches Madchen (Brautkostum) aus Istrien), 19th century

Background imageSewing Collection: Costumes de Différents Pays, Fille Mordwine en Habits de Nôces, c1797

Costumes de Différents Pays, Fille Mordwine en Habits de Nôces, c1797. Creator: Jacques Grasset de Saint-Sauveur
Costumes de Differents Pays, Fille Mordwine en Habits de Noces, c1797

Background imageSewing Collection: Costumes de Différents Pays, Sauvagesse de la Baye de Hudson, c1797

Costumes de Différents Pays, Sauvagesse de la Baye de Hudson, c1797. Creator: Jacques Grasset de Saint-Sauveur
Costumes de Differents Pays, Sauvagesse de la Baye de Hudson, c1797

Background imageSewing Collection: Louis XII, 1462-1515, King of France, c15th century. Creator: Anon

Louis XII, 1462-1515, King of France, c15th century. Creator: Anon
Louis XII, 1462-1515, King of France, c15th century

Background imageSewing Collection: Costumes de Différents Pays, Femme Tatar Tobolsk, c1797. Creator: Jacques Grasset de Saint-Sauveur

Costumes de Différents Pays, Femme Tatar Tobolsk, c1797. Creator: Jacques Grasset de Saint-Sauveur
Costumes de Differents Pays, Femme Tatar Tobolsk, c1797

Background imageSewing Collection: Costumes de Différents Pays, Espagnole de Quito, c1797. Creator: Jacques Grasset de Saint-Sauveur

Costumes de Différents Pays, Espagnole de Quito, c1797. Creator: Jacques Grasset de Saint-Sauveur
Costumes de Differents Pays, Espagnole de Quito, c1797

Background imageSewing Collection: Johan II, 1458-1521, Duke of Cleve, c15th century. Creator: Anon

Johan II, 1458-1521, Duke of Cleve, c15th century. Creator: Anon
Johan II, 1458-1521, Duke of Cleve, c15th century

Background imageSewing Collection: Fashion Plate (Evening Dress), 1818. Creator: Rudolph Ackermann

Fashion Plate (Evening Dress), 1818. Creator: Rudolph Ackermann
Fashion Plate (Evening Dress), 1818

Background imageSewing Collection: Lovisa Sofia af Geijerstam, 1755-1802, married Fant, 1780. Creator: Ulrika Fredrika Pasch

Lovisa Sofia af Geijerstam, 1755-1802, married Fant, 1780. Creator: Ulrika Fredrika Pasch
Lovisa Sofia af Geijerstam, 1755-1802, married Fant, 1780

Background imageSewing Collection: Still Life with Origami, 1820s-30s Creator: Ikeda Eisen

Still Life with Origami, 1820s-30s Creator: Ikeda Eisen
Still Life with Origami, 1820s-30s

Background imageSewing Collection: Josefina, 1807-1876, Queen of Sweden and Norway, Princess of Leuchtenberg, 1841

Josefina, 1807-1876, Queen of Sweden and Norway, Princess of Leuchtenberg, 1841. Creator: Sophie Adlersparre
Josefina, 1807-1876, Queen of Sweden and Norway, Princess of Leuchtenberg, 1841

Background imageSewing Collection: Kenowun, Nunivak, 1928. Creator: Edward Sheriff Curtis

Kenowun, Nunivak, 1928. Creator: Edward Sheriff Curtis
Kenowun, Nunivak, 1928

Background imageSewing Collection: Woman's Costume-Cheyenne, 1927. Creator: Edward Sheriff Curtis

Woman's Costume-Cheyenne, 1927. Creator: Edward Sheriff Curtis
Woman's Costume-Cheyenne, 1927

Background imageSewing Collection: Itsipstsinikyi ('Kills-Inside')-Piegan, 1926. Creator: Edward Sheriff Curtis

Itsipstsinikyi ('Kills-Inside')-Piegan, 1926. Creator: Edward Sheriff Curtis
Itsipstsinikyi ('Kills-Inside')-Piegan, 1926

Background imageSewing Collection: Interior with sewing woman, maid and playing boy, 1797. Creator: Hendrik Jan van Amerom

Interior with sewing woman, maid and playing boy, 1797. Creator: Hendrik Jan van Amerom
Interior with sewing woman, maid and playing boy, 1797

Background imageSewing Collection: Warrior's Scalp Head-Dress-Cowichan, 1912. Creator: Edward Sheriff Curtis

Warrior's Scalp Head-Dress-Cowichan, 1912. Creator: Edward Sheriff Curtis
Warrior's Scalp Head-Dress-Cowichan, 1912




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"In Love with the Art of Sewing: From Betsy Ross to Margot Fonteyn" Sewing has always been a labor of love, an art form that weaves together history and creativity. Just like Betsy Ross sewing the first American flag, captured beautifully in Henry Mosler's painting, it symbolizes patriotism and craftsmanship. The Singer sewing machine ad from the 1890s reminds us of how this revolutionary invention transformed the way garments were made. The Singer Sewing Machines factory in Clydebank became a hub for innovation and mass production, bringing sewing into every household. In Jane Austen's Pride & Prejudice, Elizabeth Bennett hopes her handiwork will impress Mr. Bingley - a testament to how sewing was not only practical but also a means of expressing affection. "The Patchwork Quilt" evokes memories of cozy nights spent under handmade blankets stitched with care and love. Muriel Dawson's illustration "Little Miss Natty Fingers" captures the innocence and joy children find in learning this timeless skill. Hand block printing at Crysede Island Works in St Ives transports us to Cornwall in the 1930s when artisans meticulously crafted unique patterns on fabric using traditional techniques. A dressmaker's workshop is where dreams come true as fabrics are transformed into beautiful garments that make people feel confident and stylish, and is here that fashion takes shape through skilled hands guided by imagination. Even prima ballerina Margot Fonteyn knew the importance of attention to detail; she repaired her ballet shoes herself, ensuring perfection down to every stitch. This dedication exemplifies how sewing extends beyond clothing into other realms of artistry. Welsh Lady using a Singer Sewing Machine showcases how these machines brought convenience even to rural areas, empowering individuals with their own creative abilities while connecting communities through shared experiences. Lastly, Wheeler & Wilson industrial sewing machine engraving from c1890 illustrates how technology advanced alongside the art of sewing, enabling faster and more efficient production.