Category
Ex nihilo (from nothing)
Entrant
Lihua Li
Entry
Bamboo Sewing Needle circa. Son Dynasty (960-1279)
Sewing needles have been used for centuries – archeologists have determined that humans have been crafting garments for roughly 40 000 years; with early sewing needles being discovered and dated to 20 000 years ago (https://www.sapiens.org/archaeology/fashion-history-sewing-needles/)
In China, sewing needles have been discovered made from bone, ivory, silver, gold and copper (https://humanorigins.si.edu/evidence/behavior/making-clothing/bone-and-ivory-needles). However, acupuncture needles have been discovered made from bamboo (https://www.ancient-origins.net/history-ancient-traditions/acupuncture-0017051).
While early needles did not have an ‘eye’ as we know it (instead having grooves which were designed to hold sinew in place) the development of an eye occurred rapidly. There are also extant examples of both needles with grooves and eyes existing during the same time period (https://www.lovetoknow.com/life/style/history-needles-sewing).
As such, the inspiration for the needle I created could have come from many time periods, however I selected the Song Dynasty as there have been bamboo needles (for acupuncture) found in tombs from this time.
Method: Our neighbours were kind enough to allow me to cut one of their bamboo stalks for this project. Once cut and dried (in the sun), I split one segment down the centre (using a thin, flat stone and hammer) and used a craft knife to carve a rough shape for my needle. Once the rough shape had been established, the point and width were refined using sandpaper. I added the eye last, punching a hole in the relatively soft bamboo with an awl.
I fire-hardened the finished needle and rubbed beeswax along the length to ensure the needle passed smoothly through fabric. Which I then tested on my woolen cloak.
