Our Linen Stories: 8 Oor Millie - Journeys in Design and Dovecot Studios

Journeys in Design commissioned illustrator and designer Sue Shields to create a tea towel tribute to the hard 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 skill, productive fellowship and memories old and new, all part of Our Linen Stories.

‘Oor Millie‘ is the current exhibit, a special display comprising 20 individually made, marked and embroidered Linen Millies.

The Millies link in groups much as they might have done on exiting the factory after a long, tough day at work. The women of the linen industry 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. Though a tiny fraction of jobs persist, many of us have a Linen Millie amongst our families or those of friends.