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Men
in EmbroideryCan you please help? I teach embroidery at the Bournemouth & Poole College and am at present studying for my Certificate in Education. This involves carrying out an action research project which I have chosen to base on 'the reasons why so few men choose to study embroidery in Britain today', especially considering how, in the past, the embroidery profession in Britain was very male dominated and how men in other countries still dominate it.
I need your views, stories, experiences on this topic, please, especially from men who do embroider professionally or for leisure and from embroidery teachers (do men join your classes?). Has anyone done any research of this nature in the past?
All information will be very useful and most gratefully received; it will only be used in connection with this research topic.
Pauline Trim
Winterbourne Whitechurch, Dorset.
Re:
Men in EmbroideryI've only just come across this web site, so I don't know how old the original letter is, where your correspondent talks about her research topic on male embroiderers in Britain. This male embroiderer in Australia would like to make a comment.
I got into embroidery because I needed something to do with my hands. I teach school, and I'd got to the stage where I knew I had to get away from living "in my head" so much, and I was looking for something that would give me the joy of making something beautiful. I'm not gay, or a cross-dresser, or anything like that, but "textile arts" have always had a certain appeal to me.
I started with bobbin lace, which I mostly taught myself from books. I actually did get involved with the local guild, but the "hen's party" atmosphere didn't do anything for me. I must confess I got to be pretty good at doing lace, and I still do it sometimes, though I don't have enough time for as much as I would like.
I then got into canvas embroidery, and for the last couple of years I've been doing some counted cross stitch as well. I know it's pretty mindless stuff, but it's relaxing, and the results are always pleasing. I never keep anything I do. It's usually done as some kind of gift. There is a female staff member here who told me about how she gets together with some friends for a "stitch and bitch" session, so it's hardly surprising that I don't get involved in that sort of thing. I don't go to classes either, as some women get uncomfortable with a man there, and yes I know that's their problem, not mine, but I can do without that hassle.
What I would especially love to do is the traditional Japanese embroidery, and I'm a member of the JE Center in Atlanta, but I don't know if that is likely to happen.
What all this boils down to is that I just don't see embroidery as a necessarily female thing. All it takes is two hands, and both men and women have those. Whoever is interested should be able to do it, and neither do I feel any need to justify my position by pointing to any tradition of male embroiderers. People have said to me at times that my doing these things is some kind of breakthrough against sexism. Surely the breakthrough will happen when people simply don't think twice whether it's a man or woman doing the embroidery.
(Just my two cents' worth).
John
John O'Leary, JohnO'Leary@terrace.qld.edu.au
ReplyNot sure how old this note is either. You might try looking for "Needlepoint for Men", a book published by a well-known former American football player, Rosey Grier. It was published in 1973 by Walker & Co (NY). In the book Grier shares how he started with needlepoint. He also provides an introduction to other men and boys interested in needlepoint. Many photos. To see a copy of the book, you might try a web search.
Kyra
Hicks, khicks1@prodigy.net
Arlington, VA
Men and EmbroideryNovember 2002
I have been doing ecclesiastical embroidery from my late teens and am now over 50. I was introduced to it by a monk. Now, being off work on long-term sick leave, I am able to spend many hours each day working with silk and metal threads, etc.
A local supplier in my area of Melbourne (Australia) tells me she has about 30 or so regular male embroiderers shopping with her. Most are self taught and many are doing canvas work. Others do bobbin lace, or crewel work.
Best wishes with your project.
Ross Menhennitt
rossjm@ozemail.com.au