Past Exhibition

Domestic textile production required the work of many hands. Examples from The Brick Store Museum's extensive textile collection brought the work of Kennebunk women alive in the Museum's exhibit, Industrious Hands.The Sociability of Domestic Textiles in New England.

Found in every aspect of American domestic textile production is community and economy - community in the sharing of skills and economy in the frugal use of resources. Women regularly used the labor intensive tasks associated with textile production as an opportunity to gather together. They journeyed to one another's homes to spin, weave or enjoy a "quiltin' frolic". Their mutual assistance created intricate social webs.

Textile production during the early years of Kennebunk's settlement occupied a majority of a woman's time and was on going year round. American women were encouraged not to buy British imports thus promoting home industry and an American market.

Many women were able to supplement the family's income by using their textile production skills. Elizabeth Wildes Bourne of Kennebunk, Maine was one such woman. She used her weaving skills to create a thriving home industry. Featured in Industrious Hands was a seamless white tufted coverlet that Bourne made for Mary Wise, which was exhibited on the bed that Mary's father gave her.

By the 1830s, affordable printed fabrics were available to the women of Maine and by 1850 most fabric was produced outside the New England home. The textile mills in Biddeford and Saco provided not only fabric for the women of southern Maine but also jobs. Many young women helped to supplement their family's incomes by working in these mills.

The patchwork quilt developed into a uniquely American art form during the 19th century. As women had done during the early settlement era, women continued to join together to quilt, creating elaborate patchwork designs. Quilting parties were popular social events. After the women completed their quilting for the day the gentlemen would join them for refreshments and dancing. This afforded young men and women an opportunity to meet. August was a popular month for quilting parties, and the fall proved to be one of New England's busier seasons for weddings.

During the Victorian era women continued to gather together. Crazy quilts, strongly influenced by Japanese art and culture, became popular. Women used pieces of silk, velvet or satin saved from memorable occasions to create these works of art.


	Industrious Hands: The Sociability of Domestic Textiles in New England, 1760-1890 May 5 - December 21, 2001
	Domestic textile production required the work of many hands. Examples from The Brick Store Museum's extensive textile collection brought the work of Kennebunk women alive in the Museum's exhibit, *Industrious Hands.The Sociability of Domestic Textiles in New England. Found in every aspect of American domestic textile production is community and economy - community in the sharing of skills and economy in the frugal use of resources. Women regularly used the labor intensive tasks associated with textile production as an opportunity to gather together. They journeyed to one another's homes to spin, weave or enjoy a "quiltin' frolic". Their mutual assistance created intricate social webs. Textile production during the early years of Kennebunk's settlement occupied a majority of a woman's time and was on going year round. American women were encouraged not to buy British imports thus promoting home industry and an American market. Many women were able to supplement the family's income by using their textile production skills. Elizabeth Wildes Bourne of Kennebunk, Maine was one such woman. She used her weaving skills to create a thriving home industry. Featured in Industrious Hands* was a seamless white tufted coverlet that Bourne made for Mary Wise, which was exhibited on the bed that Mary's father gave her. By the 1830s, affordable printed fabrics were available to the women of Maine and by 1850 most fabric was produced outside the New England home. The textile mills in Biddeford and Saco provided not only fabric for the women of southern Maine but also jobs. Many young women helped to supplement their family's incomes by working in these mills. The patchwork quilt developed into a uniquely American art form during the 19th century. As women had done during the early settlement era, women continued to join together to quilt, creating elaborate patchwork designs. Quilting parties were popular social events. After the women completed their quilting for the day the gentlemen would join them for refreshments and dancing. This afforded young men and women an opportunity to meet. August was a popular month for quilting parties, and the fall proved to be one of New England's busier seasons for weddings. During the Victorian era women continued to gather together. Crazy quilts, strongly influenced by Japanese art and culture, became popular. Women used pieces of silk, velvet or satin saved from memorable occasions to create these works of art.
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