February Meeting - 10th February

Hi Everyone

On Monday we welcome Helen Wilson, sharing her love of hand-made books. If you’ve ever seen any of Helen’s gorgeous books for sale at Moseley Arts Market or at the local Open Studios events you’ll know we’re in for a treat.

 To see more of Helen’s work take a look at helbentbooks.co.uk. You may even want to book on to one of her bookbinding workshops.

Tales from the Workbasket...

Have you ever wondered why embroidery scissors are shaped like storks? Well, these scissors didn't actually start out as scissors, but as umbilical clamps. Sometimes, the clamps would be used with a set of forceps shaped like snakes. Why snakes? To symbolise the Rod of Asclepius, the Greek god of healing and medicine.

Between the 19th century and now, these little stork scissors have gone through some really big changes. In the past, most of them were between four and a half to six inches long, with their heads mounted at almost a 45-degree angle. The beaks were heavy clamps not meant to cut, but to restrict the blood flow before the umbilical was cut. Some even had little babies hidden inside the stork's beak that would appear when the clamps were opened.

The midwives began to use the scissors for needlework that they carried with them to work on during long waiting times when babies were being born.

Who knew these scissors had such a long history that started with delivering babies? The Smithsonian has a medical bag on display with a pair of stork scissors, in their American History Collection.

Thank you to Meriel for that fascinating piece of history! If anyone else has interesting snippets, just let me know! We look forward to being amazed!