Pincushion Cover
1839 (dated) (made)
| Place of origin |
Layette pincushions were popular in the 18th and 19th century, often given as a gift to a new mother. They could be seen as the equivalent of a modern-day congratualtions card.
This unfinished cover is an example of a pre-stuffed pincushion. It dates back to 1839 and has a white base fabric covered with pink stitching. The stitching has been used to send a message of welcoming and love to the new baby, a popular feature of this period. It is unknown as to why this pincushion remained unfinished.
This unfinished cover is an example of a pre-stuffed pincushion. It dates back to 1839 and has a white base fabric covered with pink stitching. The stitching has been used to send a message of welcoming and love to the new baby, a popular feature of this period. It is unknown as to why this pincushion remained unfinished.
Object details
| Categories | |
| Object type | |
| Materials and techniques | Linen and cotton, hand-embroidered in cross-stitch |
| Brief description | Cover for a layette pincushion; probably British, 1839 |
| Physical description | Cover for a layette pincushion. The cover has a white linen front, with a white cotton back, and is edged with a double-layered frill of white cotton lawn whipped with red thread along the outer edges. The front is embroidered in cross stitch with a verse worked in red thread, enclosed within a rectangular frame decorated with pairs of opposing triangles: Welcome Little helpless stranger Welcome to the light of morn Smile upon thy happy mother While she holds thee on her arm 1839 There are no fastenings or flaps: when in use, the cover was evidently stitched together. |
| Dimensions |
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| Production type | Unique |
| Marks and inscriptions | Welcome little helpless stranger
Welcome to the light of the morn
Smile upon thy happy mother
While she holds thee on her arm
1839 |
| Credit line | Given by Gladys Blackmore via Mrs Fowler |
| Object history | Given to the museum as a gift by Mrs Gladys Blackmore via Mrs Fowler |
| Production | Handmade |
| Summary | Layette pincushions were popular in the 18th and 19th century, often given as a gift to a new mother. They could be seen as the equivalent of a modern-day congratualtions card. This unfinished cover is an example of a pre-stuffed pincushion. It dates back to 1839 and has a white base fabric covered with pink stitching. The stitching has been used to send a message of welcoming and love to the new baby, a popular feature of this period. It is unknown as to why this pincushion remained unfinished. |
| Collection | |
| Accession number | B.125-1993 |
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| Record created | April 19, 2000 |
| Record URL |
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