From Flax to Finish
By Mc Kenzie Kay Everett
As part of the Andrew W. Mellon Fellowship I received an internship as the Costume and Textile Curatorial Assistant at the RISD Museum. Here, I conducted research on 19th century embroidery samplers which inspired this piece. Drawn to the intense processes involved in the production of linen in New England during this time, the sampler details the various processes involved in producing a textile from a simple seed.
This piece is meant to honor the women who created during the age of homespun and the tradition of hand craft-- "women's work." During this time, embroidery samplers were the cornerstone of a young lady's education, sometimes beginning as young as six years old. Her skill in craft developed during these years would later become a defining characteristic that would determine her role as a wife and mother. I developed this endlessly fascinating topic in an accompanying article that showcases the sampler; they are published on RISD’s Manual online publication. I was also fortunate to participate in "Creative Convergence" as part of the RISD Museum's Third Thursdays Program and discuss and share with members of the Providence community my research.
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