Fine Display

Nelson Evening Mail, Volume LXXII, 26 November 1938, Page 2

Fine Display

NELSON TECHNICAL COLLEGE

Evening Classes

Very little is heard of the activities of the evening classes held at the Nelson Technical School, so that it comes as a surprise to visit their display of work done throughout the year and see the splendid exhibits there. ** * * The needlecraft section was particularly interesting, and speaks very well for the enthusiasm and versatility of Miss M. Dee, who is the needlework ■ instructor. The whole room looked very attractive with the work tastefully : displayed and bowls of bright flowers ! adding their own note of gaiety. ** * * Amongst the supper cloths which - featured a variety of embroidery ■ stitches, were several of outstanding merit, particularly two cloths showing the same design of autumn leaves which > were exquisitely shaded in all bright ■ tonings so obligingly furnished by the fall of the year. Another exhibit very beautifully worked showed a formal design of garden flowers and gave great scope for the effective mingling of colours. ** # * Smocking is an art which always excites my admiration because I can’t master it, so that I was able to appreciate the fine work in two blouses most beautifully smocked in colour. Three dainty little baby frocks also featured smocking and very well done it was, too. ** * * f But Miss Dee’s pupils haven't confined their activities to small articles. There are fire screens and a three-fold screen . there worthy of everyone’s attention, with their vivid embroidery. The fire screen I liked best showed a large vase j of bright flowers worked in colourful wool embroidery on a maize coloured background. The neatness of the long and short stitch was amazing really, ' this work having been done by a junior pupil. s ** * * Then there was the three-fold screen which certainly deserves special men- ’ tion, because a screen of this size is a ’ large canvas to work on, isn’t it? The c Chinese Chippendale design was an original one by Miss Dee, and was carried out in wool embroidery, with most beautiful tonings in the Jacobean r centre panel. I found it hard to be--1 lieve that it represented only one year’s * work. ** * * 5 There were two quilted cushions on r view, which I was pleased to see bes cause quilting is coming back into its f own again; one was green satin quilted * in the Italian style while the other was 1 a lovely deep mauve with English quilting. Richelieu embroidery was reprei sented by two large supper cloths over » which great pains had obviously been ; taken, and a tray cloth worked in i pastel tinted sweet peas appealed to me . by reason of its daintiness. The or- ? gandie showers were very dainty too, > and a very fine piece of work por- > trayed two realistic anemones on a tray 1 cloth. j** * * Another exhibit worthy of mention , was a green linen jacket prettily emj broidered with small sprays of flowers, j while behind it were two gaily em--5 broidered dressing gowns showing the , traditional apple blossom. If you like embroidered wall pictures as I do, you > would be interested in the design of an ’ Early Victorian lady walking in her garden which was full of colourful f flowers. The stitchery in this was fine t and carefully done. ** * * ? It is obvious from the dressmaking r display, that the pupils under Miss Kidson have entered into their work > with real enthusiasm. As was only to - be expected, frocks predominate in ? this section, and very pretty they were » too. One particularly smart summer ; frock was of pale blue floral linen . with plain blue yoke and sash and x bolero of floral linen to match. L** * * A sweet little morning frock was of . green floral haircord, trimmed with four green buttons, and having two inverted pleats back and front, while nearby was an attractive blue check silk jumper in coatee style with cutaway corners and finished with dark r blue buttons and belt, i <¥■ -Y* Y t Miss Kidson’s pupils who are mostly ‘ young girls, have shown enterprise and J originality in their work. There was l a child’s dark blue street frock there l I thought very sweet and smart. The skirt was of blue with matching bolero, ■ with a light blue novelty spot crepe ‘ blouse and sash. Then I noticed a ' waistcoat of tartan taffeta with white flower buttons and a very pretty pale green linen sports frock with t stitched collar and belt. *Y * * A more unusual model was a navy redingote which had a double-button J fastening and was edged with braid. 1 while another idea which attracted ; my attention was the felt applique I trimming on a double jabot adorning a | I beige winter frock. *¥ * * ; The arts and crafts section which is j ’ iin the capable hands of Miss Ruddell j was extremely interesting and included example of beaten brass work, pewter work and hand-tooled leather. One of [ the finest exhibits was a complete toilet set in green-painted wood decorated ? 1 with pewter and coloured enamel in a : charming design, and another worthy 1 note was a small tray in pewter with a dainty acorn design at each end. An exhibit showing originality w r as a box 1 in pewter for bridge cards, with an un--1 common design in enamel on the lid, incorporating the four suits. * * * A wood box in beaten brass was an exhibit in Miss Ruddell’s section which f deserves special praise and is a credit to both teacher and pupil alike. It was | beautifully made and neatly finished, and the design was in keeping with the modern trend in such work. |** * * I I couldn't resist haying a look at the I furniture made by the cabinet-making I class while I was there, because their ' j work has quite a professional air, and j ! I noticed that their designs were mod- , ■ e-n and artistic without being extreme. I particularly liked a bedroom suite in l

light oak with a motif of darker oak on each piece, while the dressing table had one of the new circular mirrors and the long stool was finished with a charming tapestry top. •