Journeys in Design commissioned illustrator Sue Shields to create a tea towel tribute to the working women of the linen industry. The design includes a cut-out pattern and instructions to assemble our Linen Millie doll. These dolls are a focus for crafting skills and memories old and new, all part of Our Linen Stories.
Female linen mill workers 'Millies' were the backbone of the first industry to emerge from Scotland and Ireland and much of Europe: hard-working, multi-tasking and super-skilled. At the peak of linen trading in the early 20th century, tens of thousands of women were employed to support the economy of a continent. There is still a working mill here in Kirkcaldy that makes incredible fabrics.
If you would like to get involved in this project please contact info@ourlinenstories.com
These historic images and 'Millies' were exhibited at Kirkcaldy Museum.
