Deerfield Society of Blue and White Needlework
The Deerfield Society of Blue and White Needlework was founded in Deerfield, Massachusetts in 1896 by Margaret C. Whiting and Ellen Miller. They formed the society in 1896 as a way to help residents boost the town's economy by reviving American needlework from the 1700s. It was inspired by the crewel work of 18th-century women who had lived in the Deerfield, Massachusetts area. Members of the Blue and White Society initially used the patterns and stitches from these earlier works, but because these new embroideries were not meant to replicate the earlier works, the embroidery soon deviated from the original versions with new patterns and stitches, and even the use of linen, rather than wool, thread. The society disbanded in 1926 for several reasons. Ellen Miller was in declining health, the trained stitchers were getting old and couldn't continue, Margaret C. Whiting's sight was fading, and the design and quality of commercially produced items was increasing.
Q375905
Deerfield, Massachusetts
LOC
Q98876135
Margaret C. Whiting
PER
Q98451426
Ellen Miller
PER
Q104843530
Deerfield Society of Blue and White Needlework
UNK
1896-01-01T00:00:00Z^^http://www.w3.org/2001/XMLSchema#dateTime
1896
DATE
1896-01-01T00:00:00Z^^http://www.w3.org/2001/XMLSchema#dateTime
1896
DATE
1700-01-01T00:00:00Z^^http://www.w3.org/2001/XMLSchema#dateTime
1700
DATE
1926-01-01T00:00:00Z^^http://www.w3.org/2001/XMLSchema#dateTime
1926
DATE
+18^^http://www.w3.org/2001/XMLSchema#decimal
18
NUMBER
residence
significant person