Dewhurst's have a wonderful range of bright colours in their range of sewing cottons like this reel of very vibrant pink, which has been blessed with the delightful name of "Frivolous Pink".
When it was last my birthday, a very dear friend who enjoys photography as much as I do, and knows that I collect beautiful and vintage pieces, gave me a wonderful selection of antique ribbons, buttons, buckles, lace and other fine notions. She also gave me three follow up tins of similar delightful gifts for Christmas.
Those wonderful gifts are what has inspired me to create this series of "Embroider my World" images featuring my vintage bobbin collection. I happened to be at a garage sale of a former milliner and dressmaker last Sunday and came across this beautiful piece of oriental brocade. It seemed appropriate to use it as a backdrop to my Dewhurst's Sylko "Frivolous Pink" reel of cotton from my collection because it matched it so perfectly! The bobbin of Frivolous Pink dates from between 1938 and 1954.
Belle Vue Mill, commonly known as Dewhurst’s, was built by Thomas Dewhurst in 1828. It opened in 1829 as John Dewhurst & Sons and was one of Skipton’s largest spinning and weaving mills. The mill’s position next to the Leeds Liverpool Canal meant that raw cotton could be shipped in by boats from Liverpool. Finished goods would then be sent back the same way ready for distribution. Coal to power the machine’s steam engines was also delivered by barge. In 1897 Dewhurst’s was bought by the English Sewing Cotton Co. It continued to produce Sylko, one of the mill’s most famous products. It was produced in over 500 colours and sold throughout the world. Sylko cottons are still available at haberdashers today
