It’s years since I did any needlework which wasn’t either needlepoint or cross stitch, but I’ve been thinking of doing some designs of my own, loosely based on some lovely Honiton Jacobean design pottery which I have. So when I saw this old cushion cover going really cheaply on that auction site I had to bid for it. Well nobody else did!
A wee bit of the top flower had already been embroidered but the rest of it is my work and it has been really quick and enjoyable to do. I just wanted to get some practice in before embarking on my own variation on the theme. I was never very great at satin stitch but I am improving with practice and I’m quite pleased with the effect so far. As you can see I still have about half of it to stitch but it shouldn’t take long to complete.
This sort of design became very popular in the 1930s and it was still being done in the 1950s. Design sort of stagnated during the war. I don’t think people could get the material for doing fripperies, it was all knitting socks and mufflers for the troops. The original Jacobean designs were not quite as outrageously coloured, but it’s the bright, crazy colour combinations which I love.
Elsewhere on the craft front I’ve finished off the pansies needlepoint. I managed to get to grips with my sewing machine which for some reason behaved perfectly, it must just have needed a rest. I even managed to do a button hole on trousers and I put a new pocket in a pair of my husband’s trousers. If only he wouldn’t carry so much junk around in them they wouldn’t wear into holes. It was a nightmare to do and the next time they are going in the bin if he can’t put up with not using the pocket. The trouble is his mother was a sewing teacher, in fact she was MY sewing teacher, and he tends to think that all women can do what she could do. I’ve told him that she went to college for three years to learn how to make clothes and learn about all aspects of sewing, but I don’t think he believes me!
Wow, that’s beautiful! I knit (though I haven’t touched it in months, I have piles of UFOs) but I can’t sew worth a darn. That’s just beautiful. My ten year old daughter is determined to be a fashion designer someday so I’m giving her a sewing machine and lessons for her birthday. I hope she’ll stick with it and at least learn a good life skill.
Karen K,
Thanks, it’s not too difficult to do really. I knit too but I find that I keep getting interrupted mid row and I’ve laid down my needles at the moment because I kept having to rip it out! I used to be able to do Aran and Fair Isle before I had kids. That’s great about your daughter. I don’t know how you get into fashion design in the US but going to a textiles college seems to be a good way to go about it here, more so than art college.
That’s really gorgeous and I love the colors, too. They really ‘pop’ from the fabric. Is it linen your stitching on? I’m not brave enough to try my own designs, though I know a lot of stitchers will will change colors and add motifs when working on projects. I’ve not had much free time to work on my own projects but I hope this weekend I’ll be able to pull something out. And I totally admire someone who can sew–it is a wonderful skill and one that does take lots of practice and study. I can only do very basic things–no button holes, I’m afraid! Thanks for sharing this!
Danielle,
Thanks. Yes it is linen and I plan to put some more really zingy colours into it. I sometimes adapt patterns as I go along but mainly to make it easier really and it’s amazing how changing colours can make a pattern look entirely different. I’m hoping to get quite a few projects finished soon because there are so many things which I want to start, but not until I complete some.
I don’t often sew clothes, it tends to work out more expensive than buying them nowadays, I stick to just fixing things and doing household stuff, cushions, tablecloths and curtains. I was at school in the days when all the girls got sewing and cookery lessons whilst the boys got woodwork and metalwork. I wish I had been allowed to do the woodwork too!
That is really colourful, and the satin stitch looks great!
It is a long time since I have done any embroidery like that. School was the last time I think for a Textiles exam.
So much crafty things to do, so little time!
Jo,
Thanks, I know I have about 7 ideas for projects which I want to get on with but I’m making myself finish an ancient patchwork before I start anything else.
That’s so pretty – and I too love the colors! I used to do Jacobean back in the day. Unfortunately my “canvas” of choice tended to be blue jeans, so I have only the memories of all that work. I loved the fluidity of the design, and the detailing. Nice work!!
Pearl,
Thanks, I remember those embroidered blue jeans days! I had a lot of colourful patches too, in fact I found a 1970s LOVE patch the other day. I must have removed it from the jeans before they were chucked out.
You do lovely needlework. I’m in the middle of one of my miniature Oriental needlepoint rugs, but I don’t especially like the colors so my enthusiasm has waned. I’d like to start a piece for a friend for Halloween, so maybe that will do the trick.
My late mother was the best seamstress, for love and necessity, not as a career. We didn’t have much money, so she made all my sister’s and my clothes: coats, dresses, rompers. No one else ever wore the same dress as mine to school! I have two perfectly matched kilts she made me; no one could make finer ones. My grandniece, Grace, was baptized yesterday and wore a christening dress made and embroidered by my mother for my oldest niece. My mother used to make clothes for mission work and always embroidered a little flower or something special on the clothes. She made the most gorgeous smocked dresses for little girls! Sorry, I teared up yesterday when the minister mentioned that my mother made the christening dress, and I’ve been missing her terribly.
Joan,
It sounds like your mother was an absolute treasure, no wonder you miss her. Compared with her my sewing would seem mediocre I’m sure. For some reason I thought she was still alive. My mum died 11 years ago and my dad an astonishing 31 years ago. It must have been lovely for you when you were growing up to be different from everyone else. Of course we were all in school uniforms so we all looked the same! Is your wee cat not doing so well? You sound quite down. Feel free to e-mail me if having a good old moan about life will help!