Vintage Stitching Treasury. Suzanne McNeill

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      Ladies of Leisure

      (978-1-57421-516-8),

      Linen

      Heirlooms: Vintage Linens

      (978-1-57421-785-8),

      Tied Up!

      (978-1-57421-

      468-0) and

      Redwork in Blue

      (978-1-57421-749-0).

      Hand stitching for the projects featured on front cover done by

      Anna Mae Roth, Milford, Nebraska. Thanks, Mom! —Carole

      Introduction

      For nearly a century, the wonderful relaxing pastime of art

      embroidery entertained women through the U.S. and much of

      the world. No one thought much of it while they were doing

      it; after all, it was just something to pass the time, making

      a thoughtful gift for a friend or a treat for oneself. So little

      consideration has been given to this facet of textile history that

      some experts cringe when they hear “art embroidery” applied

      to the stamped goods and transfers our mothers and

      grandmothers bought for a dollar (or a penny!) from the variety

      store. But art embroidery is indeed what the magazines and

      pattern publishers and catalogs called those fanciful designs.

      As textile historians tend to focus on rarer things, the records

      and memories of this widely popular form of needlework have

      been slowly declining. What a rich legacy of ordinary pleasure

      and simple lives is left unwritten in the fascinating history of

      art embroidery! Those of you who cherish bluebird-covered

      dresser scarves and scotties-chasing-kitties tea towels know

      how compelling the untold story of the woman who made them

      is. Imagine her story multiplied by millions—that is the scope of

      art embroidery.

      Vintage embroidery lets us reach back and touch an ordinary

      moment in the past. It records as much as a vintage magazine.

      The designs provide a record of attitudes, humor, and culture,

      much of it from a woman’s point of view. Everyone who is lucky

      enough to have a small collection of old linens embroidered

      by mothers or grandmothers feels the hand reaching across

      the years. Decorative embroidery was (and is) used on so many

      household items: linens, pillows, doilies, potholders, kitchen

      towels, button bags, silverware holders, etc.—you name it and

      it was probably decorated at some time or other with a bit of

      embroidery and possibly a touch of tinting.

      Now it’s your turn to give the designs of the old days new

      life. This book presents an exciting array of vintage patterns for

      you to peruse, use, and enjoy. Fantastic flowers and irresistible

      animals share pages with days-of-the-week motifs and beautiful

      ladies. The styles are unique to their eras and therefore

      fascinating looks at the past, with designs in this book dating

      as far back as the late 1800s, up through the Great Depression,

      and into the fairytale 1950s. They are nostalgic treasures you

      can bring alive again. It’s time to stitch up the past!

      Thank you to Nori Koenig for her extensive help,

      research, and knowledge of vintage linens.

      3

      Vintage Stitching Treasury

      1880–1900

      Realistic or naturalistic renderings. Visual puns and symbolic messages common.

      “Talking” linens with greetings or jokes. Novelty work done in strong, natural colors. Fine

      embroidery used for better quality decorative purposes—eyeletting, padded satin stitch, etc.

      Turkey work/redwork a popular trend, where patterns for Kensington stitch (needlepainting)

      are done in outlining only, in Turkey Red. First iron-on transfers appear on the market.

      Bonanza of easily available flosses, fabrics, and patterns suddenly becomes available.

      1900–1910

      Arts & Crafts style patterns are a special niche in the kit and pattern market. Simplified natural

      forms (flowers and abstract forms) often combine some very curvilinear elements of art

      nouveau. Many kits pre-tinted to show elaborate stitching plans. This tinting is often simply

      outlined and left to be enjoyed on its own.

      1900–1920

      Novelty patterns become increasingly professional looking. Novelty motifs continue

      to be increasingly realistic. Fine embroidery motifs continue in eyeletting and other

      traditional methods.

      1920s

      Kits for embroidered everything, from clothes to umbrella holders, are available. Incredible

      number of patterns published. It’s a golden era for art embroidery. Linens feature unusually

      shaped edges and corners, often fitting tightly to motifs. Colonial Lady themes begin

      popularity. СКАЧАТЬ