Stork Scissors
I think I may have an answer for a question that someone
asked quite a while ago--why are stork scissors made to
look like storks? I saw a video last night on antique
needlework tools, and the woman had a pair of unusual
stork scissors--instead of the blades sticking straight
up as is usual, the blades stuck out to the side. They
were also very dull blades, not sharp enough to cut fabric.
She said that when she bought them, they were in a box
with a lot of other sewing implements, but her research
had found that they were actually a tool used by midwives
in the 1800s. (Presumably to clamp the umbilical cord.)
Since midwives were women who also did needlework in their
spare time, they kept their medical tools handy--in their
sewing basket. Maybe they even worked on their needlework
while waiting for a baby to be born!
Anyway, just in case anyone besides me was still wondering
where stork scissors came from, now you know :-)
--marina
Newsgroups: rec.crafts.textiles
Date: 14 Jul 1994 17:14:36 GMT