Hands-on-Crafts – Pennsylvania Pieced Pocket at Landis Valley

Practical pockets tied around a woman’s waist to hold personal items, leaving the hands free for other chores. Although usually worn under an apron or petticoat, they were often stitched from many pieces of colorful linens and cottons. Emphasis will be placed on pockets made in south-eastern PA and surrounding areas.

Students will choose their fabrics and hand sew a pocket. All levels of sewing experience are welcome. Material fee includes:  selected printed and woven cottons for pocket top & embellishments; pre-cut cotton lining & linen backing; cotton tape for ties; thread & embroidery floss; written instructions for making pieced blocks & assembling into a pocket shape; written instructions for cross stitch embroidery initials and motifs found on PA German textiles. All sales are final. Proceed benefit the Museum.

Students should bring hand sewing tools: needles, pins, tape measure and/or small ruler, fabric marking tool, fabric shears, paper scissors, thimble (opt.). Also bring lunch, drinks, and snacks.

PA German textiles and other artifacts can currently be seen in our visitor’s center exhibit “Pennsylvania Germans: Their Lives Through Color.”

LYNNETTE MILLER is an independent costumer consultant and proprietor of Miller’s Millinery which provides patterns for items of headwear and clothing accessories. A member of the Costume Society of America, she focuses on promoting accuracy in historic interpretation, especially in the area of 18th and 19th century clothing construction and fit. She has won national awards for her Civil War era clothing and served as National Chairwoman of the Costume Committee for the Ladies of the North/South Skirmish Association for two terms. A retired art teacher, she writes magazine articles, lectures and conducts clothing and millinery workshops. Lynnette can also be found demonstrating early textile production and millinery techniques at the Landis Valley Village and Farm Museum in Lancaster, PA.