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| Wemyss School of Needlework Collection |
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| Chair Cover from the collection of the Wemyss School of Needlework |
A reader commented on her mother’s needlework skills and her
lesson sample book from the 1930s and 40s full of “button holes and buttons,
collars, French seams fun and fell. using hemming tape, herringbone stitch pin
tucks and smocking.” If memory serves,
this reader has some connection to Scotland, which triggered a remembrance of
the Wemyss School of Needlework in Coaltown-of-Wemyss Fife, Scotland. Founded
in 1877 a scant five years after its more famous cousin the Royal School of
Needlework in London was founded. (The Royal School is currently at Hampton
Court.)
This section of Fife has produced coal for centuries and so the need tor
full family employment cannot be overstated. Wemyss was founded to help the daughters of colliers and farmers find employment through needlework skills. The Wemyss family and the school’s
seamstresses maintained the school until 2011. Currently (2015) the school is overseen by Fiona Wemyss and Louise Dawson.
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| Kit developed from the collection of theWemyss School of Needlework |
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| Close-up of needlework |
In a new century, it is now in the process of preparing a
catologue of its collection and moving forward with improved facilities. It is worth reflecting that no craft thrives
without education and the Wemyss School maintains that tradition with a newly
instituted selection of classes, including Jacobean Crewelwork, Goldwork,
Whitework, and silk shading. While the
school existed and helped needle workers throughout its history, these are the
first classes since the late 1940s. The
school is located in Fife, Scotland (see above) and is currently open
Wednesday, Thursday and Saturday from 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. If you enjoy needlework
go and see it, keep these treasures alive! I do not foresee making it there any
time soon, but I look forward to seeing the catalogue when it is finished. Helen McCook of the Royal School of Needle teaches at the school on a freelance basis.
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Close-up of needlework
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This post was ammended on 2 February 2015 to correctly name the overseers, Fiona Wemyss and Louise Dawson and the role of Helen McCook as a freelance instructor.
Jeff Hopper is a consultant, historic house steward and social historian.
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