Nerve Tonic

For a new project, I've been accumulating craft magazines from different time periods. I just lucked into an incredible treasure trove--nine issues of "Needlecraft" magazines from the late 1920's to the early 1930's. It's been incredibly interesting to thumb through the magazines, looking at how much style has changed through the years. Advertisements, of course, were incredibly copy heavy in the 20's and 30's, persuading you that an array of doctors and experts think that your use of certain cigarettes (or latch hook yarn) is beneficial to your health. It's also striking how much has stayed the same. D.I.Y. projects in the magazines use the exact same techniques as modern magazines to convince you that craft projects will add spiritual value to your life. The very first magazine that I flipped through, from March 1927 had this great letter from a reader entitled "Needlework as a Nerve Tonic".

"To those of my sisters who are afflicted with nerves, I wish to recommend sewing. Not making a gown, which requires much studying of patterns and care in cutting and basting--oh, no! but simple, plain sewing: that is what rests my nerves. Embroidery which does not take a great deal of skill fills the bill perfectly. I find cross-stitch ideal, and the fact that it is very much in vogue at the present time does not detract from its value as a remedy for refractory nerves in the least. We all like to know we are using our needle to some purpose, even though with another end in view Summer dresses of voile, gingham and like materials, decorated with touches of cross-stitch embroidery, are beautiful, as are many other articles for personal and household use; and to be interested in the creation of lovely things lends zest to the work."

"There are endless varieties of simple embroidery that are restful and soothing. Robert Louis Stevenson used to spend hours knitting. He declared that the click click of the needles acted as a sedative on his tired nerves. Many claim the same good office for crochet, using simple patterns either in yarn or thread, not too fine--and again fashion is on our side, because the coarser or heavier laces are preferred for most things. I often wonder, as I pass a sister of charity on the street, what is the secret of her calm, serene expression; there is not a hard, ugly line in her face. Is not one reason, at least, because she spends hours with her needle? Does needlework give her peace and poise of mind? I think it does--knowing what it has done for me."

--Mrs. Ruth K. Daury, Connecticut.

Comments

[emmachic]

Well I must say as a nervous person that embroidery calms my nerves but I'm far to say that I have a serene expression on my face... unfortunately... Thank you for this article. The cover are beautiful !

[Kim Jones]

I have eight vintage Needlecraft Home Arts magazines which I am looking to sell to real genuine buyers. They have been in storage and have just moved house with no suitable place to have them. Plus, have a very inquisitive 3 and half yr old who would love to put his crayons over them. I don't want them to spoil, and wish for them to go to a genuine collector so they can enhance collections.

if anyone interested please email, and please realise that once they have been bought, I really do not have any more to offer. Genuine reason for sale.

I have:-

Feb 1918
July 1933
Sept 1933
June 1934
July 1934
Aug 1934
Oct 1934
July 1935

The 1918 edition is a bit tatty on the outer, but the rest of the edition is lively and clear. The others are in excellent condition.

Open to reasonable offers.

Kindest regards

Miss Kim Jones - UK