A Visit to the Manitoba Crafts Museum & Library

If you are in Winnipeg and into history and stitching, this is a must-see!  I'm so glad I stopped by.  The current exhibit of Just a Needle & Thread is in a fairly small room but LOADED with charm, beauty and a huge variety of work.  They told me cameras were allowed (YAY!!!), so enjoy.  Everything I photographed was behind glass, but I think the pictures turned out quite well.

! GASP !  This Christening Gown was worn by a baby boy in 1852 and it was the first thing we saw when we walked in. 

It took my breath away.  

O my.  It features delicate hand embroidered floral designs, drawn thread, and cutwork lace.  The photo above is of the top, and the photo below is of the lower portion of the gown.

Around the other side of that display, I found this next headpiece.  I do not recall the year it was made, but GOOD GRACIOUS if that isn't the PRETTIEST piece I have ever seen!!!

SIGH  (insert utter speechlessness here)

It is a crafts library as well, and I really enjoyed finding interesting sections of books to photograph.  I love to read all the titles.  WHAT A COLLECTION!!!

This last piece I want to show you was in a drawer topped with plexiglass for protection.  It is a vest with the finest of threadwork (likely silk?).  I think what I adored about this was how elegant and fine it was, but also natural and loose in the design composition.  The embroidery on the left and right side of the vest opening was not perfectly symmetrical.  The leaves and floras and seedpods and grasses stitched on here were so free and whispy - and looked entirely natural (yet stunningly PERFECT). 

all silk.  all by hand.

Though I was told I could take photos, I decided not to post the following woman's work on the net without her permission because she is currently exhibiting and selling her art.  It would get pinned like you wouldn't believe.  Her bio is below and worth googling if you have a moment.  The work I saw of hers was very modern - patchwork pieces with free machine & hand stitched 'doodles' and illustrations that were entirely charming and whimsical.  For instance, there's a scene of little cartoon-like birdies singing together and going down a sledding hill on a toboggan!  I mean really - there's no way you can look at her whimsical stitches and not break into a happy giggle.  I enjoyed it so much.

her whimsical contemporary thread illustrations are adorable!

So there you go!  I hope that's enough eye candy to get you to want to pop by and check it out.  Here's the show's information:

It says it's on exhibit until May - but I'm not sure what the last date will be.  Maybe phone first?

Thank you so much to Noreen from MPQ for taking me out on the town the last afternoon of my stay in Manitoba.  I had such a nice time : ))).

Have a great weekend everyone!