Did your mother or grandma or great-granny do needlework? Do you have memories of a crocheted table cloth that came out for Sunday dinner? A needlepoint sampler on the wall? A hand-tatted lace scarf?
These were the handcrafted touches that made a house a home for generation upon generation, long before we turned to TV designers for readymade décor.
Step back to that simpler, more personal time at “Mother’s Work,” an exhibition of heirloom textiles at the Averitt Center for the Arts through June 22.
This artisan exhibit draws from public and private collections, and most are family keepsakes from our own community. So it’s history that’s also our own story, stretching from the 19th century to today.
For pure artistry, don’t miss the oldest pieces in the exhibit. There’s a lace collar from 1880 as delicately filigreed as fine jewelry. Nearby, the hundreds of tiny squares in a small blue-and-white tablecloth were made by hand-cutting fabric and binding clusters of threads together to form the intricate pattern.
You’ll see gifts of love handmade to celebrate special occasions. The Easter dress crocheted for a 2-year-old daughter will bring a smile. The lacy Bible cover that became the centerpiece of wedding bouquet will make you sigh.
There are also a number of more recent pieces and even contemporary ones. My personal favorites might be the handiwork from my own childhood era of the 1950s -- as sweet and simple as “Leave It to Beaver” and “Ozzie and Harriet.” Colorful cotton-crochet squares and doilies. Pillowcases embroidered with cheery daisies and butterflies. And a frilly doll’s dress that I’m sure must have been a Christmas gift from a favorite aunt.
Take a stitch in time. Come enjoy the heritage our mothers left us. Admire their creativity and skill. And spend a few minutes among truly lovely memories.
Review: A stitch in time
Averitt Center hosting heirloom textiles exhibit


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