Evening star., 1925-06-01
The Needlework Guild
By Frederic ]. Hdskin.


connection with the recent meeting Of
the National Council of Women in
Washington. was the booth of the
Needlework Guild of America. In
this was displayed garments made by
members of the various branches Of
this association, and also literature in
great abundance giving its history and
objects.
The organization Of the Needlework
Guild of America is the direct result
of the inspiration furnished by an
EnglishWoman. In 1888 Lady Vol
verton, who had for some time been
much interested in a certain orphan
asylum, conceived the idea of asking
her friends to contribute each year
two pieces of wearing apparel or of
household linen for use in this asylum.
She made the request that each or
these articles be new. This was not
to be an opportunity TO rid ones self
of garments no longer in style, or
which were no longer desired.
Lady Wolverton succeeded in inter
esting a number of her friends in her
project. She named the group the
Needlework Guild because of the orig
lnal idea that the garments be maze
by the members themselves. After
this first group had been organized
for some time a local paper carried
a notice of the work. This was copied
in a London paper, and Princess
Mary of Cambridge, Duchess OF Teck
and the mother of the present Queen
Of England, became 50 interested in
the movement that she organized the
London Needlework Guild.
In 1885 Mrs. AlanSon Hartpence of
Philadelphia was travelling in England
and heard of this organization and its
work. When she returned to the
United States she told of it, and her
niece. who is now Mrs. John Wood
Stewart, became 80 enthusiastic over
the idea that she persuaded some of
her friends to join her in starting a
similar organization.
In Difference to Lady Wolverton,
who originated the idea, she called
this little band the Needlework Guild
of America. This organization has
now grown TO d membership of ap-
proXimately 600. 600 and has branches
all over the United States. In the
first year of its existence the number
Of garments collected was 921. while
in 1924, 1,213,755 were collected.
X
The object of The Needlework Guild
of America is, as stated in its bylaws,
to collect and distribute new, plain,
suitable garments TO meet the great
need of hospitals, homes and other
charities, and to extend its usefulness
by the organization of branches. Spe-
cial collections OF garments may be
taken at times Of local, national or
international disaster.
The only requirement for member
ship is the annual contribution of two
or more new articles of wearing ap-
parel or household linen, or a donation
of money. Any man, woman or child
may become a member. The organiZa-
ton is non-seCtarian and members of
any faith are welcomed
That this is true not only in theory
but in fact is shown by a report from
Minneapolis: We have succeeded in
enlisting the help of all creeds and
nationahties as guild contributors. We
have a wonderful Jewish section, one
of Swedish women, Norwegian, two
Catholic sections, various churches,
study clubs and philanthropic socie-
ties"
While it is specifically stated that
garments collected in the regular man
ner should not be sent to foreign
countries, special collections are made
for this purpose. For instance, at the
outbreak of the European War in 1914
workrooms We're established ar Lyon,
France. Later a war relief depart
ment was opened in New York City for
the purpose of aiding the needy of the
allied countries.
The various branches of the guild
took particular interest in the
people OF st. Quentin, and many.
adopted orphans for whom they are
still caring. OF course, in such cases
II is necessary TO obtain money, and
one branch in Connecticut does this
by giving bridge party. Their
friends like TO come and enjoy them
selves immensely. on one such oc-
casion they We're able without much
effort to raise not only enough to
re-adopt their particular French or
phan, but an additional S25. which
was used 10 help two needy ST. Quen-
tin families in whom they had former
ly been interested. Thus the members
Of this branch combined an enjoyable
social event with a good deed.
While money has always been a
minor consideration with the guild.
no organization can be efficiently
operated without funds. An executive
office must be maintained, and money
is necessary to defray certain ex-
penseS in connection with various
conferences held for the purpose of
stimulating interest IN this guild and
extending its activities. II was found
that the contributions of the money
memberS-whiCh number only l to
every % garmentS-were insufficient
to meet all these demands. Therefore
a thank Offering" was established
To this offering each branch is ask
ed to contribute something mat
ter how small the amount. It is not
desired that the amount contributed
work a hardship on any individual
rio of ofSir
this money have been contrived by
the branches. Some hold bazaars, the
returns from which are used for this
purpose. Some have rummage sales,
others lawn parties and still others
bridge parties. One branch gave a
a large ball on which $500 was clear
ed. A portion of this was contributed
to the thank Offering" The rest was
used for two purposes-to purchase
materials out of which garments
might be made, and as a donation to
a shoe fund.
One of the most interesting phases
of the work of the guild is its CO.
operation with DR.. Grenfell in his
activities in Labrador. DR.. Grenfell is
an English missionary physician who
a number of years ago became much
interested in the mariners of the
northern seas. He has always main
tanned that it is important to improve
the physical and economic conditions
of these people before stressing the
spiritual. He has devoted himself to
this end, and through his efforts sew
eral hospitals, a series of cooperative
stores, mills and orphanage and a
school have been built.
The Labrador branches of the guild
reported that during the year 1928
they Jointly contributed over 27,OOO
garments and articles of household
linen. Because of the extremely cold
climate of Labrador manY heavier