fabric links

The Sept/Oct 2010 issue of  Selvedge magazine has a feature article titled Scrap of a thing.  It reviews an exhibition Threads of Feeling on until March 2011 at  The Foundling Museum, London, England. It shows tiny fabric scraps left, as a means of identification, with babies given up by their mothers at the foundling home. It also gives a brief description of the babies, birth dates, ages, names where possible and in many cases date of death. As a mother and grandmother I find it heartbreaking. Thanks to Velma for this link to the exhibition www.threadsoffeeling.com  And the museum is at www.foundlingmuseum.org.uk

But also for a very personal reason. My birth mother died when I was born, in a remote Northern hospital. With no social services at the time I was extremely lucky to be adopted by a loving couple. This little dress came with me.  

It isn’t new, the cotton flannelette is very thin.  There is a button missing and the stitching is coming undone at the sleeve.

Unfortunately, there are still children in this world who need our help.