Interview with Edna Hoskins

Edna Hoskins recalls first involvement with embroidery when a friend invited her to classes to learn how to do Hardanger work. Refers to Miss Helen Moran at Dunedin King Edward Technical College. Outlines the formation of the Otago Embroiderers' Guild with the first meeting in Carnegie Hall, 1961 and Miss Helen Moran first President and Mrs S Arnoid Honorary Secretary. Speaks about Mrs Kay du Toit. Recalls acquiring materials from the following stores, Penrose, DIC, DSA, Brown Ewings, and a shop owned by Miss Helps. Refers to the changing cityscape. Describes Helen Moran. Refers to cloths made by women for their `Glory Boxes'. Mentions community classes at the School of Art run by Mrs Desi Allen. Discusses the influence of Maori design and adapting a Maori design from a child's book. Refers to the use of native plants to dye wool. Discusses types of embroidery and principles of colour including traditional embroidery. Recalls being president (1973-1974) and remembers a bomb scare at the Y W C A where they had their meetings. Refers to visit of Mr Muldoon, Leader of the National Party on the same night. Backgrounds moves to form a New Zealand Association of Embroidery Guilds (ANZEG). Talks about `Kneeler Project', the first set being given to the Hospital Chapel at Dunedin Hospital and expresses grief that after a flood at Waraki Hospital the kneelers where burned in the furnace.

Access Contact - see oral history librarian

Interviewer(s) - Janice Wilson

Arrangement: Tape numbers - OHC-011756-011757

Quantity: 2 C60 cassette(s). 1 printed abstract(s). 1.30 Hours and minutes Duration.

Finding Aids: Abstract Available - abstracting complete OHA-4079.

Original recordings not available for playback. Surrogate copies will be provided.