Last summer I was contacted by Crissie, she wanted a hand cast with a difference. I had already cast her and her mum Maureen holding hands, but this time she wanted her mum cast holding a needle.
Maureen had been a seamstress since she left school at 15. Her first job was in Dents glove making factory in Dukes Road Southampton, followed by working in a hosiery repair shop in Bedford Place. There was great demand for stocking repair in the 1950s and Maureen quite often undertook repairs for actresses and ballerinas working at the Gaumont theatre which is now The Mayflower. Her working life always involved sewing of some description, she even made her own wedding dress in 1955.
The needle used in the cast also tells a story. It was the needle that Crissie’s Nan (Maureens Mum) had used to make a childhood teddy for her. The teddy was never quite finished and the needle was still in situ on the seam of the teddy’s back.
Listening to Crissie talk about her mum it really made me realise that this cast will be such a lovely talking point now and for many years to come.
If you have any ideas for casts like this, please do drop me an email or give me a call.