{"product_id":"london-textile-month-talk-smocks-and-smocking-with-ollie-douglas","title":"Tuesday 15 September, 2-4 p.m.: Talk: Smocks and Smocking with Dr. Ollie Douglas","description":"\u003cp\u003e\u003cspan style=\"color: rgb(64, 64, 64);\"\u003e\u003ca rel=\"noopener\" href=\"https:\/\/www.google.com\/maps\/place\/The+Museum+of+English+Rural+Life\/@51.4492218,-0.9624793,17z\/data=!3m1!4b1!4m6!3m5!1s0x48769b38746f175b:0xa2c773590cc7e3b4!8m2!3d51.4492185!4d-0.9599044!16zL20vMDZsbG5n?entry=ttu\u0026amp;g_ep=EgoyMDI2MDUyMC4wIKXMDSoASAFQAw%3D%3D\" style=\"color: rgb(64, 64, 64);\" target=\"_blank\"\u003eMuseum of English Rural Life, 6 Redlands Rd, Reading RG1 5EX, United Kingdom\u003c\/a\u003e\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp data-end=\"620\" data-start=\"119\"\u003e\u003cspan style=\"color: rgb(64, 64, 64);\"\u003e\u003ca rel=\"noopener\" href=\"https:\/\/merl.reading.ac.uk\/\" style=\"color: rgb(64, 64, 64);\" target=\"_blank\"\u003eThe Museum of English Rural Life\u003c\/a\u003e (The MERL), part of the University of Reading, explores the histories, traditions and changing cultures of the English countryside through one of the country’s most significant collections relating to rural life, craft and agriculture. Founded in 1951 to document the rapidly transforming countryside after the Second World War, the museum continues to connect historical collections with contemporary conversations around making, labour, sustainability and community.\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp data-end=\"1152\" data-start=\"622\"\u003e\u003cspan style=\"color: rgb(64, 64, 64);\"\u003eDr Ollie Douglas is Curator of MERL Collections and a museum professional with more than fifteen years’ experience in collections research, interpretation and public engagement. His work explores the histories of collecting, folklore, rural culture and material heritage, with a particular interest in how objects carry stories about everyday lives and working traditions. Alongside managing major collections projects, he has curated numerous exhibitions and public programmes that connect academic research with wider audiences.\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp data-end=\"1175\" data-start=\"1154\"\u003e\u003cspan style=\"color: rgb(64, 64, 64);\"\u003e\u003cstrong data-end=\"1175\" data-start=\"1154\"\u003eEvent Description\u003cbr\u003e\u003c\/strong\u003eThis illustrated talk explores the history, craft and cultural significance of smocks and smocking within English rural dress traditions. Drawing on objects from the MERL collections, Dr Ollie Douglas will trace the evolution of the smock from practical workwear worn by agricultural labourers to an enduring symbol of rural identity and textile craftsmanship.\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp data-end=\"1934\" data-start=\"1539\"\u003e\u003cspan style=\"color: rgb(64, 64, 64);\"\u003eVisitors will encounter beautifully detailed examples of hand-smocked garments, examining the intricate embroidery, pleating and regional variations that transformed functional clothing into highly skilled decorative work. The talk will also consider the lives of the makers and wearers of these garments, revealing how smocks reflected labour, status, locality and changing ideas of rural life.\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp data-is-only-node=\"\" data-is-last-node=\"\" data-end=\"2137\" data-start=\"1936\"\u003e\u003cspan style=\"color: rgb(64, 64, 64);\"\u003eCombining close object study with wider social history, the event offers a fascinating introduction to a distinctive textile tradition that continues to inspire makers, collectors and historians today.\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp class=\"font-claude-response-body break-words whitespace-normal leading-[1.7]\"\u003e\u003cspan style=\"color: rgb(64, 64, 64);\"\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eEvent Cancellation Policy\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003c\/span\u003e\u003cbr\u003e\u003cspan style=\"color: rgb(64, 64, 64);\"\u003eAll bookings are non-refundable. However, if you let us know that you are unable to attend an event you have booked at least two weeks before the event, we will open up your place. If we find another participant, you will be offered a credit note.\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp class=\"font-claude-response-body break-words whitespace-normal leading-[1.7]\" style=\"text-align: center;\"\u003e\u003cspan style=\"color: rgb(64, 64, 64);\"\u003e\u003ca href=\"https:\/\/merl.reading.ac.uk\/\" rel=\"noopener\" style=\"color: rgb(64, 64, 64);\" target=\"_blank\"\u003eVisit the Museum of English Rural Life Website\u003c\/a\u003e\u003ca href=\"https:\/\/www.sharonkearley.com\/\" style=\"color: rgb(64, 64, 64);\" target=\"_blank\"\u003e\u003c\/a\u003e\u003cbr\u003e\u003ca href=\"https:\/\/www.instagram.com\/the.merl\/\" rel=\"noopener\" style=\"color: rgb(64, 64, 64);\" target=\"_blank\"\u003eFollow the Museum of English Rural Life on Instagram\u003c\/a\u003e\u003ca href=\"https:\/\/www.instagram.com\/sharon_kearley\/\" style=\"color: rgb(64, 64, 64);\" target=\"_blank\"\u003e\u003c\/a\u003e\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e","brand":"Event","offers":[{"title":"Default Title","offer_id":48612212867307,"sku":"TS-0ad05d","price":25.0,"currency_code":"GBP","in_stock":true}],"thumbnail_url":"\/\/cdn.shopify.com\/s\/files\/1\/1395\/5787\/files\/b5d5e96e-fb4b-48fa-8438-b3cd3eb0f2f9.png?v=1779903118","url":"https:\/\/www.selvedge.org\/products\/london-textile-month-talk-smocks-and-smocking-with-ollie-douglas","provider":"Selvedge Magazine","version":"1.0","type":"link"}