Nelly Don: A Stitch in Time

Kansas City native, famous Irish-American, Nelly Don is the subject of a new book and a feature-length documentary by Terence o'Malley who is Nelly Don's great-great-nephew, which given the size and make-up of Irish families is a lot closer than it sounds.

Nelly Don: A Stitch in Time shows this weekend at the Screenland in downtown Kansas City, and has had new screenings added. This would be a great treat for Kansas City Mothers for Mothers Day

One of the first and most successful self-made women millionaires in American business, Nelly Don designed and sold more dresses in the 20th century than any other single person in the US, while challenging the idea that women were best suited for domesticity.

The story of Nelly Don has its roots in Ireland. Nell's father, John Quinlan, emigrated to American shortly before the Civil War. He met his wife, Catherine Fitzgibbons, the daughter of Irish immigrants, and together John and Catherine had 13 children. Nell was the 12th child and the fifth daughter. She was christened Ellen Howard Quinlan but her older sisters quickly took to calling her Nell. She grew up in the small railroad town of Parsons, Kansas, where her father worked as a farmer and worked in the shop at the Katy Railroad.

Visit the movie's official website for background and clips.

Showtimes (UPDATE - Extra Showings Added for May 19/20/21 & May 26/27/28):
Friday, May 12th at 7:00pm
Saturday, May 13th at 2:00pm and 6:10pm
Sunday, May 14th at 2:00pm and 6:10pm

The Screenland Theatre is located at 1656 Washington, Kansas City,
816.421.2900 or 816.421.9700

Related Links:
    • Nelly Don Collection at the Kansas City Public Library
    • Review in Kansas City star of Nelly Don: A Stitch in Time
    • Star Magazine Feature (with slide show)