February 2021 Meeting

President Joan T. welcomed all to the meeting for Lamplighters Embrioderers Guild of America, (EGA) meeting.   She shared some Mid-Atlantic Region (MAR) and National information with those on the Zoom call.

• 2nd Saturday of each month there are virtual lectures available not the EGA website.  Advanced sign-up is required and available 'seating' is limited
• EGA National Meeting on March 6th will be available via YouTube
• EGA National Meeting from last fall is available on the EGA website

There was no Show 'n Tell for this month's meeting because we have a speaker.   For Show 'n Tell next month, send your pictures to Caryl C. one week prior to the next meeting.

Pat L. shared a Facebook User's Group, NJ Cross Stitch and Needlework.  

Upcoming

    March - Pat L. will give a talk on samplers in her collection.

This evening's program - First Lady Inaugural Gowns

    Sheryl DeJong, 20 year volunteer at the Smithsonian Institute in Washington DC.  

Sheryl moved to the Washington DC area and as a stitcher, of course, she joined the local EGA Chapter.   For the program she lead us through a PowerPoint presentation on the First Ladies Inaugural Gowns Exhibit at the American History Museum in Washington, DC.   As she provided narration to each slide she shared tid-bits of little known facts about the First Ladies and the dresses.   

• Initially there was not an inaugural ball as we know it today
• During the 19th century it was typical that gowns were not only reworn but also altered or remade into something completely different.  Julia Tyler also worn her Inaugural gown at the French Court.
• During war times, such as WWII, the inaugural ball was canceled
• There were nine Presidents that did not have a First Lady.   Rather,  had a sister, a niece, a daughter  or daughter-in-law perform the duties of First Lady.   In the case of Thomas Jefferson, his Cabinet took charge of the task.  Although Andrew Johnson was married, the duties of First Lady were delegated to his daughter as his wife suffered from extreme shyness.
• In 1845, Sarah Polk is credited with the protocol of playing Hail to the Chief when the President enters the room.
• The collection at the Smithsonian started in 1912 and descendants of First Ladies were asked to participate.   Some family has no interest.  
• In 1930's, this display became the most popular exhibit at the museum
• At any one time, there are only 21 gowns from the collection on display 
• Initially all dresses were displayed in identically, in glass cases.   Later then were displayed on identical mannequins  created in the likeness of a greek goddess,  They now have  identical 'headless' mannequins.
• In 1955,  the newly created hall to the display First Lady gowns put the gowns on mannequins in front of historical backdrops.  
• Each dress has a folio with all the pertinent information and it is currently being computerized by volunteers  
• Some dresses are displayed with accessories such as beaded or needlework purses
• Some displays include jewelry include a a hair brooch from Abigail Adams. 

Sheryl has several other powerpoint on embroidery, quilts and a behind the scenes tour.  It was a very thorough and interesting presentation.  You can see some of the display at this link.     Thank you Sheryl!

Ceremony of the Broken Needle

Have you ever heard of the Ceremony of the Broken Needle?  It occurs annually in February.   Hari-Kuyo - the ceremony of the broken needle.   Japanese seamstresses pay homage to the needle that so faithfully worked hard for them throughout the year and enables them to create beauty by using the needle.    Check out this link on Hari-Kuyo or see it here on Wikipedia.

Next meeting - March 11th.