Gulf Coast breeze., 1898-04-22
A REVIVAL OF SEWING.
WONDERFUL GROWTH OF NEEDLE
WORK SCHOOLS IN U. S.

result OF unlteu NcllOu' 40 c"Iy 10
1880 pedagogues and public-spiritel
citizens called attention to the neces-
sity of taking more interest in needle
instruction, aud recommendedthe for
nation OF institutions, private or pub
lie, in which needlecraft should be the
main subject of study and work. The
movement exercised some influence,
aud sewing schools began to be organ
lied in various parts of the country,
more especially in New York and 9TH
er large cities.
In 1892 n number of philanthropic
women of this city perceived that the
nation was behind Europe in matters
Of this sort, and determined to organ
ize body which should develop the
sewing school movement into a nation
al affair. They interested their friends.
and after that the leading pedagogues
and philanthropists of the metropolis.
In 1893 they formed a permanent
organization named the New York As
sociation of Sewing Schools. With
commendable wisdom they made 1t
non-sec,ariau, non-political, and thor
oughly cosmopolitan. They even de-
clined to take any part in the bitter
discussion going on in educational cir
cles as to which school of needlecraft
was the superior. They took for their
objects the increase and extension of
existing schools, and the establish
ment of other schools throughout the
land, the teaching of the various meth
DDS or systems in vogue in various
countries, and more especially those
parts whose exercise yield women Il
respectable income.
They agreed to hold advance classes,
teachers classes, conferences, conven.
tions, sewing exhibitions, to take
part in the great conventions, and to
interest churches, charitable associa-
tions, schools and colleges in the
work. 1t was program of enormous
proportions aud showed the energy,
determination and ambition of the
thirty or forty women who undertook
the work. Their progress was note
worthy from the very beginning. In
three years the association was known
throughout the Union, and recognized
with high respect by the government
schools of Europe. 1t had member
ship of sixty schools, representing
$4,000 scholars and 1900 teachers.
Large as was this growth, it was in
significant compared with what has
taken place in the last eighteen
months, as shown by the annual meet
ing Just held. There are now about
120 members representing at least 800
schools and more than half million
scholars.
A large increase came from organ
izing the public schools OF the large
cities into single bodies. Thus the
public schools of New York, city make
of Philadelphia n second, of New Ha-
ven, Washington, Fall River and Bal
tmore still other members.
TO these should he added the great
churches Of New York, the Episcopal,
Roman Catholic, Hebrew, Congrega-
tional, Presbyterian, Methodist, Bap.
tist, Lutheran, Sweienborgian, Uni
tartan and Dutch Reformed; while
beyond these are the mission schools,
sewing schools, schools Of domestic
science, of household economics,
schools of domestic art, the mission
schools, which are so strong feature
OF the social and charitable life of the
larger municipalities. They held a
remarkable exposition in the Ameri-
can Art Galleries last spring, which
was so rich and complete ~ to be a
nine days wonder. 1t aroused COM
meut in every part of the country, re-
sulting in many requests that the ex.
position be given in other cities. This
was done by the management where
possible, and in every case with the
same success that was had in New
York.
They are now preparing for another
exposition, to be held in the middle
of spring. which, ifpossible, will sur
pass all predecessors. They have al
ready collected the nucleus for q first
class exhibition, and have received as
surances of larger and better exhibits
from all of the members. BY winning
the confidence and esteem Of the
community they can now obtain loan
collections Of priceless value from pri-
vate collectors. New York, Boston
and Philadelphia are famous in this
regard. One prominent society woman
Of this city has a collection of linens,
plain, ornanented, embroidered, which
numbers over three thousand pieces.
Another lady, whose husbands busi.
ness was chiefly in the far East, has O
collection of Indian, Burmese. Malay
and Chinese needlecraft of remarkable
beauty and historical interest; while
as for those who collect laces and fine
embroideries, their name is legion.
Nevertheless, the chief aim of the
.,a...t;,n a.. ,ul,at,,,l ..tha.