15 OCTOBER 2019 – 12 JANUARY 2020

This free exhibition takes an in-depth look at one of Gunnersbury’s most remarkable items ; a highly decorative fabric quilt top created by a local Acton family in around 1825.Thought to have been intended as a bed covering, the so-called ‘Acton Top’ demonstrates a wide range of complex quilting, patchwork and appliqué skills and depicts contemporary figures in Regency dress, Biblical scenes, animals and plants. Comparing the Acton Top with other historic quilts from the museum collection, the exhibition investigates how quilting developed from the late 1780s to the 1850s, and explores associated technological and social changes.

We also have a programme of events inspired by the exhibition including workshops, talks and the Great Gunnersbury Quilting Bee on 2 & 3 November. Keep an eye out for our next What’s On guide and check back here for more details.

http://www.visitgunnersbury.org/treasured-threads-unpicking-gunnersburys-quilts/

St John’s Hospice, an independent charity located within the Hospital of St John and St Elizabeth in St John’s Wood, provides specialised palliative care to more than 4,000 terminally-ill patients and their families every year.

‘Twiddle muffs’ are a knitted or crocheted band with items attached that patients living with the advanced stages of dementia can twiddle in their hands during their hospital stay. They help provide stimulation and they are invaluable to patients as people with dementia can hold and ‘twiddle’ to help any restlessness and agitation that they might experience.

They are calling for crafty folk to put their knitting/ crochet/ Sewing know-how to good use. There are a huge variety of available patterns on line but below are three fairly easy ones to follow.

Twiddle Muff Knitting pattern 1:

1. Materials

This pattern is perfect for using up left over and odd balls of wool

• Needles: 8 mm circular or 6.5 mm straight needles

2. Directions

• Cuff: Cast on 45 stitches using 2 strands of double knitting wool or 1 strand of chunky wool (one plain colour works best)
• Work in stocking stitch (knit a row, purl a row) for 11 inches
• Body: Continue with stocking stitch, but use up oddments of various textures of wool such as chunky, mohair, ribbon etc. until the work measures 23 inches (two strands of double knit for two rows each gives a lovely assortment of colours)

3. Finishing

• If working with straight needles, lightly iron the long strip, then neatly join the sides together using edge to edge stitch (with the knit side facing out)
• Turn inside out and push the one-colour cuff up inside the body
• Sew the two ends together, again using a neat edge to edge stitch

4. Decoration

• Now is the time to decorate the muff, inside and out, with ribbons, beads, flowers, zips, loops, pompoms, buttons etc.
• You could even knit a separate pocket for a favourite photo or a hanky
• Be creative, but make sure each item is securely attached
• If there could please be a loop on the muff at the top so a patient identification band could be attached to it, it would be greatly appreciated

Twiddle Muff Knitting pattern 2:

https://knitforpeace.org.uk/wp-content/uploads/2015/07/Twiddlemuff-Pattern.pdf

Twiddle Muff Crochet Pattern

It’s simple to crochet a Twiddle Muff – you need a tube that measures approximately 40cm long and 20 cm wide when laid flat (large enough to fit both hands inside comfortably). Depending on the weight of yarn you’re using, chain stitches that measure around 40 cm.

The best Twiddle Muff has a variety of textures, so you should vary the stitches you use, and use a range of yarns and colours. You could also work a series of bobbles, or add beads to your yarn.

You don’t need to weave in the ends when you change yarn, as the yarn ends can also be fiddled with. Attach a range of buttons, ribbons and patches – it’s a great way to use up any swatches you have from previous projects.

Once you’ve added decorations, fold the fabric in half and sew together, to make the tube.

If there could please be a loop on the mitt at the top so a patient identification band could be attached to it, it would be greatly appreciated.

An outdoor exhibition of women traders in Cheapside, London.

21 September – 18 October 2019

In the 18th century, as now, the Cheapside area was known for its luxury goods. Unlike now, most of those goods were made on the premises, and among the manufacturers and shop owners were hundreds of women milliners, fan-makers, silversmiths, and scores of other trades. These women, all of whom were members of London’s livery companies, employed thousands more in their trades. Some of these elite employers produced highly ornamental trade cards to advertise their business, which are held by the British Museum. This outdoor exhibition brings them to the attention of a wide public and provides an entirely new light on women’s work in the City.

http://citywomen.hist.cam.ac.uk

The exhibition and project is supported by an ‘Inspiring London through Culture’ grant from the City of London, the British Museum, Cheapside Business Alliance, the Arts & Humanities Impact Fund, University of Cambridge and Metro Bank.