In 1953 Robert MacBryde was among one hundred artists invited to paint large pictures on the theme ‘Figures in their Setting’ for an exhibition initiated by the Contemporary Art Society. He evidently finished 'Two Women Sewing' just before the submission date and, sensing the importance of the occasion, wrote to a friend: ‘We must try to go to the preview at Tate Gallery on Nov 4th there is a big party from 8.30 until 11 o’clock. We must mind our Ps and Qs that night.’ Two Women Sewing seems to be partly based on an etching by Jankel Adler.