Suffragette tribute is ‘sew’ good

TO mark the centenary of the death of suffragette Emily Davison, artist and MMU lecturer Lynn Setterington has been collecting 100 sewn signatures as part of the 100 Deeds project.

100 Deeds is organised by writer Sarah Evans and theatre producer Jenny Gaskell, with the support of the People’s History Museum, to explore what gender equality means a century after Emily stepped out in front of the King’s racehorse at Epsom.

They asked participants to do a deed which they felt either promoted or represented what gender equality means now.

Lynn said: “My deed, to mark the centenary of the death of suffragette Emily Davison and raise awareness of this remarkable woman, was to create a collaborative cloth comprising 100 sewn signatures - one for each year since her death. The project involved students, academic, technical and admin staff at Manchester Metropolitan University in a communal sew-in.

“Everyone who took part was asked to sew their own signature and Remember Emily. Participants not only included students and staff in art and design but also science and engineering, health and social care and humanities.

“The shared making led to interesting conversations and discussions on the day, and I also collected signatures from people who wanted to take part but were not able to participate at the event.”

The completed piece will now go on display as part of an exhibition at the People’s History Museum, which will be open to the public until 14 June.