Scintillating Stitches

The laundering and ironing marathon that I mentioned on my previous post began with some enthusiasm yesterday...I began with the larger items such as tablecloths...

Ironing these old vintage linens does have a habit of transporting me back to days gone by when women spent hours creating these works of art.

It was supposed that the accomplished needlewoman would be capable of hand embroidering her designs to look as perfect on the reverse as they did on the front.

Taking time to press the wrinkles from the old cottons, rayon and linens, and enjoying the carefully added embroidery stitches and lace edgings, does make you appreciate the talents of a generation or so ago.

Sometimes an assortment of colours and stitches create the patterns...

*

Others focus on one stitch to create a bold design and carefully worked edging.

*

Some less accomplished needlewomen were still able to produce colourful details to their tablecloths, with their slightly less refined results adding a unique homemade look...

More detailed techniques demand aptitude, such as those for drawn thread and cutwork designs.

Others required an especially good eyesight to count threads on a fine cotton fabric, for a neat and even cross stitch!

Lace embellishments such as crochet and tape lace furthered a woman's repertoire.

*

And fine knitted lace edging for a frilled effect.

**

The marathon continues with tray cloths and runners...But somehow ironing these is far more pleasurable than working through the huge pile of clothes belonging to the family! Those can wait for another day! ;-))

Thanks for stopping-by,

Niki x