Yarwood Grant Winners, 2006

In 2006, two winners were awarded the Yarwood Grant.

Kate Strasdin was awarded the Yarwood Grant for researching life in dress of Queen Alexandra under the working title of ‘Secrets of a Royal Wardrobe’. To Kate Strasdin "Living as I do on Dartmoor, this grant makes an enormous difference to my ability to study in other parts of the UK. The grant offers an opportunity to visit archives and collections that would otherwise prove too costly".

Heather Toomer was awarded the Yarwood Grant for researching whitework embroidery from early 18th to 19th century under the working title of ‘Accessorise in White: from Queen Anne to Jane Austen’. Heather Toomer is working with Elspeth Reed on this research. They have already published Baby wore white: Robes for special occasions (2004) and in Costume No 40, 2006, you will find their fascinating study The de Saumarez Layette which has been dedicated to Anne Buck. In addition, Heather has published extensively on lace. To Heather and Elspeth the grant means " The financial help will spur us on". Heather asks that members "keep your eyes open for good whitework detail -it's what we need for dating (too few objects with reliable dates) but it's like looking for a needle in a haystack".