At the recent Centenary Concert at Chester Cathedral members saw the beautiful needlework made by CFWI members for the Cathedral. One member asked why we were sewing for a church when we are a non-sectarian organisation. The history of our needlework prowess transcends any organisation. Our needlewomen are masters of their art, and have been throughout the history of our Federation.
One of the first events the newly formed CFWI organised was a two day exhibition including handicrafts held in Chester Town Hall in October 1926. There were 1,398 handicraft exhibits on display. Popular crafts were leatherwork (glove making), furcraft, upholstery and cane seating for chairs. In 1928 classes for smocking and quilting were held in Chester and Knutsford.
Members of the Handicrafts sub-committee worked on the County Banner designed by Mrs Synge of Barrow WI for the 1938 Handicraft Exhibition in London. Many members of the Federation exhibited their work in London with members from other Federations in the NFWI.
You can have a look at the banner on display in the committee room at WI House, Chester.
Banner exhibited at the 1938 NFWI exhibition
There were 1,700 exhibits in the Handicraft exhibition held in Chester Town Hall in 1964. The Observer carried a report of the exhibition
At the Diamond Jubilee Celebrations held on the race-course in Chester in 1980 members we invited to model outfits they had made themselves
Diamond Jubilee celebrations on the race course
Former Federation Chairman, Edwina Oldham, one of the members who worked on the kneelers and altar cloth in the Cathedral herself, explains about how the needlework in the Cathedral came about:
CFWI needlewomen worked on kneelers for Moreton Hall and Bunbury Church and also helped in working the very modern tapestry frieze in Chester Town Hall. It was made between 1975 and 1980 and you can go along and view it in the Town Hall.
Jackie excelled in fabric boxes. She made the beautiful Pagoda which is in the sitting room at WI House and wrote craft books about her passion.
Our members have a long tradition of beautiful needlework which you can see for yourself each year in the WI Marquee at the Royal Cheshire County Show. In 2016 Chris Clowes of Barthomley WI took the Capesthorne Trophy at Cheshire Show for her machine embroidery judged to be ‘Best in Show’
