More from The Bowes Museum

 The Northern Industries Workshop of Barnard Castle was part of the Rural Industries Bureau initiative.

The Rural Industries Bureau was set up in 1923 to undertake research, as well as offering training and advice in rural communitues.

The Northern Industries workshop in Barnard Castle was set up by the wife of its MP  in 1932. It aimed to offer training and employment to local women who sewed cushion covers, dressing gowns, and other items for commission and sale. The workshop closed at the outbreak of the second world war.






Dressing gown made by Annie Watson, professional quilter at the NIW, 1941.


Elephant and child's hot water bottle cover made by Luma Hay.


Women made their own templates to trace on to quilt tops and then sew them. These were made from materials that women had to hand. Below are a sample of North Country Quilt pattern templates made by Annie Watson.






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