Womens Institute Collection

Lodsworth Womens Institute jam making, August 1943
Photograph by George Garland Garland Collection West Sussex Record Office Ref No: Garland N22454

18 year old Karen Kerr wearing a patchwork bikini made by the Womens Institute. 29th May 1970

Digging and Planting, 1943. Creator: Unknown
Digging and Planting, 1943. British women contribute to the war effort. From "Women's Institutes, by Cicely McCall. [Collins, London, 1943]

Fruit Bottling, 1943. Creator: Unknown
Fruit Bottling, 1943. British women contribute to the war effort. From "Women's Institutes, by Cicely McCall. [Collins, London, 1943]

Cottages by the Village Pond, 1943. Creator: Unknown
Cottages by the Village Pond, 1943. British rural scene with ducks. From "Women's Institutes, by Cicely McCall. [Collins, London, 1943]

Women's Institute Market Stall, 1943. Creator: Unknown
Women's Institute Market Stall, 1943. British women contribute to the war effort. From "Women's Institutes, by Cicely McCall. [Collins, London, 1943]

A Mobile Canning Van Given By the U.S.A. 1943. Creator: Unknown
A Mobile Canning Van Given By the U.S.A. 1943. British women contribute to the war effort. From "Women's Institutes, by Cicely McCall. [Collins, London, 1943]

Evacuated Children with their Teacher, 1943. Creator: Unknown
Evacuated Children with their Teacher, 1943. Scene from the Second World War: British evacuees in the countryside. From "Women's Institutes, by Cicely McCall. [Collins, London, 1943]

Children Leaving London for the Country, 1943. Creator: Unknown
Children Leaving London for the Country, 1943. British evacuees escape bombs during the Second World War. From "Women's Institutes, by Cicely McCall. [Collins, London, 1943]

School Dinner for Evacuated Children, 1943. Creator: Unknown
School Dinner for Evacuated Children, 1943. Scene from the Second World War: British evacuees are fed. From "Women's Institutes, by Cicely McCall. [Collins, London, 1943]

Preparing Fruit for Jam-Making, September 1941, 1943. Creator: Unknown
Preparing Fruit for Jam-Making, September 1941, 1943. British women contribute to the war effort. From "Women's Institutes, by Cicely McCall. [Collins, London, 1943]

A Canning Demonstration at a Women's Institute Meeting, 1943. Creator: Unknown
A Canning Demonstration at a Women's Institute Meeting, 1943. British women contribute to the war effort. From "Women's Institutes, by Cicely McCall. [Collins, London, 1943]

Spindle-Spinning Wool Gathered from the Hedges, 1943. Creator: Unknown
Spindle-Spinning Wool Gathered from the Hedges, 1943. British women contribute to the war effort. From "Women's Institutes, by Cicely McCall. [Collins, London, 1943]

Views and crafts of Buckinghamshire, Womens Institute banner design, 1937, (1943). Page painted by a member of a Buckinghamshire Womens Institute

Bankhall Girls Institute PLA01_02_128
Rydal Youth Centre, Stanley Road, Kirkdale, Liverpool, Merseyside. The former Bankhall Girls Institute, later used as the Rydal Youth Centre and Rydal Gym

The Royal Albert Hall, in Kensington, London. 6, 000 women members of the National Federation of Womens Institutes were at The Albert Hall today for their 59th annual meeting

Thrift rug, 1943. Creator: Unknown
Thrift rug, 1943. Made from vegetable dyed woollen scraps by a member of a Shropshire Institute. Woven rug made from recycled materials during the Second World War

Patchwork quilt, 1943. Creator: Unknown
Patchwork quilt, 1943. Made by a member of a Yorkshire Institute. The Womens Institute (WI) was formed in Britain 1915 to revitalise rural communities

A group of women receive a lesson in boot repairing, World War I, c1914-c1918. Artist
A group of women receive a lesson in boot repairing, World War I, c1914-c1918. A cobbler showing women how to repair boots at Scaynes Hill Womens Insititute, Sussex

Womens Patriotic Club (gouache on paper)
XIR157785 Womens Patriotic Club (gouache on paper) by Lesueur Brothers, (18th century); Musee de la Ville de Paris, Musee Carnavalet, Paris, France; French, out of copyright

WI Dancers
Members of Eastgate Womens Institute practising country dancing to a gramophone in the fields of Weardale, County Durham, 27th June 1953. Original publication: Picture Post - 6557 - The W.I. - pub

Womens Institute, Swanley, Kent with their presentation tablecloth 12th September 1953

The East Kent Federation of WI gave a very fine demonstration of wool spinning embroidery needlework, glove making and handy crafts at the annual show of Kent County Garden Produce

Steel facade of the IMAM building, Spain
Steel facade of the IMAM building (Womens Institute and Municipal Archives) in Mostoles, a town near Madrid, Spain. This building was built mainly with concrete and steel

IMAM building, Mostoles, Spain
IMAM building (Womens Institute and Municipal Archives) in Mostoles, a town near Madrid, Spain. This building was built mainly with concrete and steel

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The Women's Institute: Celebrating Craftsmanship, Community, and Empowerment In the heart of Lodsworth, a small village in August 1943, the aroma of freshly made jam wafted through the air as members of the Women's Institute gathered for their annual jam-making event. The women skillfully prepared fruits picked from local orchards to create delicious preserves that would grace breakfast tables across the county. Amidst this scene, an 18-year-old Karen Kerr stood out proudly wearing a patchwork bikini lovingly crafted by none other than the talented ladies of the Women's Institute. Their creativity knew no bounds as they transformed vibrant scraps into a unique swimwear piece that showcased both fashion and resourcefulness. Beyond their artistic endeavors, these remarkable women also displayed their talents in banner design. In 1937 (and again in 1943), they showcased their skills with breathtaking views and intricate crafts inspired by Buckinghamshire. These banners became symbols of unity and pride for all who saw them. Meanwhile, at Bankhall Girls Institute during World War I, another group of women eagerly absorbed knowledge on boot repairing. As men were called to serve on battlefields far away, these determined ladies stepped up to learn essential skills previously reserved for men only. They proved that gender should never be a barrier when it comes to acquiring new abilities. Fast forward to present-day London - The Royal Albert Hall stands tall as a testament to history and progress alike and has witnessed countless events where women have taken center stage thanks to organizations like the Women's Institute that empower females across generations. Backtracking slightly but still worth mentioning is Karen Kerr once more - her confidence radiated as she confidently donned her patchwork bikini created by those skilled hands within the Women's Institute. This garment represented not just fashion but also resilience and ingenuity – qualities synonymous with this incredible organization. Finally, we cannot overlook two extraordinary creations from 1943.