Pens, Needles and Linens
Women’s days throughout history were busy with things to do, varying with the different eras, the regions where they lived, and their family size and priorities. The house was invariably the woman’s domain to manage. Every day women were required to either clean or oversee the order of the home, manage the preparation of food and food sources, tend to the sewing, handwork, and often the clothing of the children. They also managed the administrative tasks, such as writing letters, and kept up a vital chain of correspondence until it became an art.
Often throughout history, women were and are, like a threaded needle working through cloth, weaving their words to friends and family, whether written on paper or embroidered, or just merely spoken to neighbours and others. My grandmothers were both modest women of letters and linens, and their work lives on, handed to the generations who follow them. Both were skilled with their hands, with thread and needle.
Imagining even a day, let alone an era, without such communication seems impossible, or without the handwork which gave women great joy. Many modern women cherish heirlooms their mother’s mother made, or even further back. It is the way they maintain the thread through the generations. It is a way of hearing the wisdom of women who made their mark before them, and who then handed the needle to future women to go on with. Here is a lovely quote, which says some interesting things about women and linens:
“White linen is the paper of [housewives], which
must be on hand in great, well-ordered layers,
and therein they write their entire philosophy
of life, their woes and joys.”
- Gottfried Keller, from “Der Grune Heinrich” (1854)
The idea of women’s days being recorded on linens seems a wonderful thought, honouring all that women did or tried to do, as if their stories were imprinted on it like damask roses. Also, this quote shows a sensitivity of the author, which likewise honours women’s work. The linens, like the paper letters, told the stories of the households, and were often wept over, laughed at, smiled at, or used for more practical purposes. Women exchanged linens as they did letters, respectively, using them to announce births, as much as to adorn babies heads. Paper and fabric, the pen and the needle, were and are an important part of a woman’s day. She used them to express herself, and share part of that self with those around her, and no doubt always will.
Quote sourced from Heather Blakey’s reference book:
“Women’s Work - The First 20,000 Years”
by Elizabeth Wayland Barber.
(copyright Imogen Crest 2008.)
Heather Blakey
Lori
soulsister
imogen88
gailkav
Anita Marie
traveller2006
porchsitter
cronelogical
gwenguin1
peacebird
aletta mes
shewolfy728
kvwordsmith
woodnymph
thalia
pearlz
mavenmaker
Alexis
How true this is. Their few heirlooms that I have from my mother are towels with crocheted lace edgings. That was her art form.
I think of the clothes my mother sewed, late in the evenings, everything from tiny shirts to heavy winter coats and parkas against the winter cold. We have a few bits of her crochet work too, those from the days when she was too long single. Quilts were made in the evenings. Thank you for this memory-returning. Fran
How lovely, Lori. These would be treasures, indeed.
I have hand-hemmed linen napkins that my great-grandmother made, and tatted lace and crocheted afghans from my grandmother. I cherish these things that their skilled hands made, and practice my own needle arts. This women’s work is such an important part of our history and ourselves.
It is such a comforting thought that their work gets handed on and on - I have a picture my grandmother embroidered for me, I really treasure it - it is what she did, who she was…the knowledge of her creativity always spurred me on.
Your words brought lovely memories for me, thank you.
This immediately made me think of the quilts my mom has made, some of which I have hanging in different rooms here in the house. She’s not a “writer,” but these pieces really do serve as letters.
I feel the same way about recipes that are handed down from generation to generation. Apple pies and coffee cakes as paper, too!
It’s a shame some of these traditions have faded away. I would love to see us reconnect to the beautiful rituals of women from the past.
It was so reassuring to read all these wonderful comments, to know that women have succeeded in handing on their craft, and that people do remember. I don’t know what it is but there is wonder in this, and it makes me a bit speechless. It’s really very humbling to think of those women, with their art. I agree, Joanne, I think those quilts were letters too. Thank you everyone for sharing these memories.
This inspired me to look up the stories told by quilt blocks to help slave escape to freedom along the Underground Railroad - which, according to some sources, may be a myth…but, whatever your opinion on that, I discovered a wonderful site sponsored by National geographic all about the American Underground Railroad. I think it is for students, but I am still learning, and it is quite interesting:
http://www.nationalgeographic.com/railroad/index.html
Kerry
Yes, the needle, pen, and hook were the tools of women. I am blessed to have needlework of 2 great grandmothers, 1 grandmother, and even a great-great-grandmother.
An even greater blessing is the lessons on sewing, embroidery, chrocheting, tatting and knitting I devoured as a child and young woman. I still have the hooks, needles, gauges, and hand-memories of those lessons.
Through them, passed generations still live and thrive. I can never thank them enough for the joy and satisfaction they brought to my life.
Hugs and kisses,
GwenGuin
Gosh, Gwen, imagine if you chose to work those tools again? What a great legacy they left for their future women.
Kerry, thanks for the link, I travelled the roads and it was quite educational indeed. Thanks again!
My mother’s family and my mother were also great crocheters (ooh! is that a word?), sewers and knitters. They also enjoyed tapestry and embroidery. I also have some of their treasures tucked into my camphorwood box and I wish that I had more time to practise those same skills and continue on the traditions.
Thanks for these comments, Anne. I, too, wish I had time to do more of these arts, and perhaps I need to find it. These treasures are so lovely, and the chain goes on.
my grandmother made each of her grandchildren a patchwork quilt and my parents still have at least one of them. My sister dabbled at quilting and I have two of her cushions. The same grandmother used to embroider and do tapestries. She tapestried 4 chair seats in bargello work for me, complaining loudly that it nearly drove her mad. My mother tapestried a chair seat for me and both my sister and I enjoy tapestrying as well. I also learned to make my own clothes from my mother as well as cooking. It’s wonderful that these skills were passed down and such a shame that they are considered by today’s youth as old-fashioned and a waste of time.
this post really resonated with me - thank you
Carol, these items sound glorious. This work was often extremely difficult for women, and it’s amazing what they accomplished with simple thread and imagination! All praise to them. So glad this resonated with you!!