Textile Testimonies from the Workhouse - Lorina Bulwer's Embroidered Letters

On Tuesday night online members were treated to a fascinating update from Ruth Battersby, Senior Curator, Costume and Textiles at Norfolk Museum Service.  As part of her PhD studies and in preparation for an exhibition to be held at the Time and Tide Museum in Great Yarmouth in 2027, Ruth has been undertaking research on the amazing embroidered letters of Lorina Bulwer.  Lorina  was a resident in the workhouse in Great Yarmouth in the early years of the twentieth century, and while she was there she produced a number of incredible pieces of embroidery.  These are mainly outpourings of her thoughts, memories and emotions in 'stream of consciousness' style stitched texts on a double layer patchwork ground, although she did also produce a few beautiful collaged pictures as well. 

Ruth shared detailed information about the construction of the texts and also told us about the painstaking progress of her own research piecing together more about Lorina's life.  What emerged was a sad story of a woman amongst many others in the workhouse who, because of their perceived 'lunacy' at the time, seemed almost erased from public record or memory.  And yet the skill of her work and the fiery determination of her words and creativity indicate a remarkable character, and have so much to teach us about her own life and that of the people around her.

The Norfolk Museum Service own 5 of Lorina's embroideries, two of which were purchased with the aid of the Costume and Textile Association.  These are on display in rotation at Gressenhall Farm and Workhouse, and will all be part of the projected exhibition at the Time and Tide Museum in 2027.  In the meantime further information can be found in this interview featuring Ruth talking to Isabella Rosner on her 'Sew What' podcast.

The Embroidery of Lorina Bulwer: An Interview with Ruth Battersby