When it was my birthday two years ago, 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 examples from my vintage bobbin collection. In this case I am using two of my Dewhurst's Sylko Flame reels of cotton which date from between 1938 and 1954. The spool sits on a vibrant orange silk Kurta from India which has been machine embroidered. The spools are accessorised by two dainty pieces of Latvian lace which came from one of those three tins of haberdashery that Christmas several years ago now.
The theme for for "Looking Close… on Friday" for Friday 16th of May is "the colour orange", and I could think of no better a subject than some of my cotton spools and another entry to my growing "Embroider my World" series. This makes for a bright image – one which I hope you will like, and I hope makes you smile!
A Kurta is a knee length tunic shirt with long sleeves and a buttoned placket. It is worn as a casual garment on its own or with sleeveless jackets, for formal occasions.
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.