A collection of embroidered hearts will go on display at Cumbria’s Museum of Military Life in Carlisle Castle last this month.

The 100 Hearts will form part of A Stitch in Time, an exhibition focusing on the themes of recuperation, remembrance and repair.

It has been curated with Sara Dennis, a Royal School of Needlework embroidery tutor with long Army connections.

During war, pin cushions were made by wounded soldiers to send home to their loved ones.

Known as sweethearts, the mementos proved to be excellent therapy for recovering troops.

Using a modern interpretation of the theme, 100 hearts will be on display from January 21 to March 17.

Alongside the 100 hearts will be the Museum’s own collection of embroidery made by soldiers.

Initiated by SSAFA Wiltshire with The Royal School of Needlework, the hearts have been made employing a traditional method using just pins to create patterns and insignia on a fabric shapes.

People and organisations involved in the project included Combat Stress, The Embroiderers’ Guild and Lt Col Neil Stace, finalist on the BBC’s Great British Sewing Bee.

The love heart pin cushions originate back to the Boer War. During World War One they were given to injured soldiers to decorate whilst recuperating in hospitals in northern France.

They were seen as romantic objects made with regimental felt, buttons and badges and would reflect things the soldier held close to his heart, often with the regimental insignia at the centre.

hey were also often decorated with poems and messages that were printed on small silk patches that came in cigarette packages with the soldier’s rations.

On Tuesday, February 12, Lt Col Stace will give a talk entitled Sewing on the Front Line. Tickets are £5, available at www.cumbriasmuseumof militarylife.org, and people are advised to book early to avoid disappointment.

There will also be a number of workshops with Sara, giving people a chance to create their own pinned heart.