Songs to Leave You in Stitches: The Story of the ILGWU’s Musical “Pins & Needles”

Sidney Cox Library of Music and Dance
Cornell University
Ithaca, NY

The International Ladies’ Garment Workers’ Union produced the hit musical Pins and Needles, which ran on Broadway from 1937-1940. For the topical skits spoofing current events, workers moved from their sewing machines on the factory floor to the theatrical stage. “Songs to Leave You in Stitches: The Story of the ILGWU’s Musical Pins & Needles” explores the history, social context, and music of this important labor musical.

“Songs to Leave You in Stitches” is the first of three “Fashioning Music” exhibits affiliated with Threads of History: Textiles at Cornell, a series of exhibits organized by Cornell University Library in honor of the acquisition of the library and archives of the former American Textile History Museum, whose mission had been to “tell America’s stories through textiles.” Highlighting materials from the former American Textile History Museum, existing items from Cornell’s collections, and original artwork, Threads of History honors the storytelling, history, and artistry of textiles and those who labor to create them.

The exhibit is free and open to the public at the Sidney Cox Library of Music and Dance, Cornell University, during regular Music Library hours.