While looking for vintage aprons in the sometimes forgotten corners of thrift shops, I have discovered a lot of vintage embroidery of the 30's and 40's. Often thrown in a heap, these pieces call to me -----"save me---save me."
Most times these dresser scarves, runners, napkins, and other small pieces have been passed over by collectors looking for more pristine needlework. But for me, I can't help thinking about the women that made them. Surely they looked forward to the evenings when they could relax after a long day of housework, listen to the radio with the family and take a few stitches of embroidery. All the time dreaming of how they could beautify their homes with their colorful stitchery.
I have no idea what I will do with these linens, maybe incorporate some in aprons or maybe just take them out occasionally and enjoy their beauty and appreciate the women that came before me.
Keep calm and put your apron on,
I love old embroidered pieces too, for the same reasons. I still like to embroider but get impatient with it because I want to hurry and see the finished item. I bought a few pieces on ebay a few years back and many of them I use. After all, I love them and if I left them to someone else they might be tossed aside.
ReplyDeleteI'm drawn to them too. I have an embroidered runner on my sideboard right now, and a couple sad shape dish towels, so I use them. Otherwise, they sit in a stack I go through to enjoy now & then and someday will have a use or a good home.
ReplyDelete:) Pam
Yep, I love all this stuff, too! I can't pass over most hand-work pieces at thrift shops, etc. Embroidery, crochet, etc.
ReplyDeleteThese linens are lovely. I love thinking about the women that created them. I am sure those women would be happy that you are rescuing and appreciating their work.
ReplyDeleteI also love the old embroidered pieces - remember "standcovers"? My mother, grandma and aunts were always working on something in the evenings while they listened to the radio.
ReplyDeleteLillian
I also love the old embroidered pieces - remember "standcovers"? My mother, grandma and aunts spent all of their evenings working on something pretty.
ReplyDeleteLillian
Hummm, I 'found' your blog quite serendipity, unplanned. I have liberated some vintage embroidery from my MIL's house. I'm not sure what I will do with them either. One is a really nicely done embroidered apron, probably made for my SIL when she was a child. She does not want it. So what's a collector to do? Any ideas on making a quilt out of some of the smaller dressor scarfs?
ReplyDeleteI have a cabinet full of beautiful handwork. Can't get rid of any of them--love to look through them and admire the delicate work..
ReplyDeleteAnn
I have some of these lovely pieces of art also. They are pristine but they speak to me! Thanks for sharing at TTF!
ReplyDeleteI have hutch drawers filled with old linens. My mother taught me to appreciate the work of others, not being a crafter herself, she collected them. We love to just set them out and use them! The hunting for them is part of the fun! Happy Thanksgiving to you and yours!
ReplyDelete