Do you do any hand embroidery, needlepoint or crewel work? Is sewing your forte? Have you tried macrame, tatting, weaving or making lace? Can you crochet or knit?
My love of hand needle arts began with some of the books I read as a young girl. Victorian & Colonial girls learning embroidery and making samplers as part of their essential education. Victorian ladies embroidering silk ribbon to supplement the family income. Women knitting special items for loved ones. Smocking… because elastic wasn’t readily available. Young women making items for their hope chests, filling it with doilies, tablecloths, nightgowns, baby things and all manner of home-keeping items.
Knitting a pair of baby booties always seemed to be the way a pregnancy was announced (or assumed), as can be seen here the Fred Astaire & Ginger Rogers film, “Swing Time”. Ginger’s character is repairing her little dog’s sweater and everyone thinks she is pregnant.
EMBROIDERY – - I have done hand embroidery and needlepoint since I was a young girl. I don’t remember my mom teaching me and I don’t remember seeing her do any hand needle work. I think I got either a book or a kit and taught myself. I learned new stitches from following the step-by-step directions as I needed them. One crewel work piece my mom framed and hung up on her wall. It made me so proud! She still has that piece, but the colors were the oranges & browns of the 60′s & 70′s… NOT my style!
SEWING – - When I attended government school they still taught Home Economics classes for girls. I don’t think much of the “home making education” provided there. All the cooking was by recipe and there was NOTHING on keeping or running a home. I have since learned so much more about cooking & baking with my participation in the Gluten Free Ratio Rally, being freed from the bonds of any recipe. Now I can create from what I have on hand using a ratio for a specific type of baked good!! This is SO freeing! Home Economics classes were also where I furthered some of my sewing skills.
I learned to sew on my mom’s Singer knee-pedal electric machine. A sturdy, rounded, black iron thing with a crinkle finish all set in a beautiful wooden table. I wish I had that machine!! When I was 10, my dad purchased me my first sewing machine. I started out sewing clothing for my barbie dolls. Later I made much of my own clothing and as a new mom I sewed much of my children’s clothing. I used that machine until it would no longer stitch anything but a straight stitch! The gears were all plastic and it was not repairable. The Patriarch bought me a basic Bernina machine about 15 years ago. I have sewn clothing, curtains and quilts with it.
In the course of my prepping I purchased a treadle sewing machine. Well, I hace actually purchased two. I learned which treadle sewing machine I should have purchased for use after I bought the first one. It took a bit longer to find the Singer Model 15-88 but she’s a beauty!! The 15-88 is equipped with built in lever stitch length regulation and reverse, plus lowering feed dogs. The Class 15 action is a good strong one. This machine uses standard needles and standard low shank feet, and will accept all of the modern piecing, even feed and darning feet. I was even able to find a full set of specialized feet for this treadle!! So with or without electricity I can still sew. The absolute BEST site for excellent information on treadle sewing machines is TreadleOn.net. The entire site is dedicated to promoting the USE of hand-cranked and treadle sewing machines. I give you fair warning… it is very addicting reading!
WEAVING – - I remember taking summer classes at my elementary school where we made woven hot pads from cotton or wool rings and key chains from plastic lacing. I loved making those spirals!! Arrow has been making me hot pads with wool rings in colors to match my kitchen and they are the best hot pads!! He also made key rings with the plastic lacing. Each Christmas I try to find something he can make as gifts and learn a new skill at the same time. The best loom I found & for the best price was through Hands & Hearts. He loves his weaving!!
CROCHET – - In the late 70′s we moved to the west coast to my husband’s duty station. We lived in off-base housing in an apartment complex. I became friends with another young mom who taught me to crochet. I loved all the things I could make for gifts, for my baby to wear and play with. I have taught myself various stitches as I have needed them in a project. I set aside my crocheting for many years. But with the stress of the economy and the political situation I started up again. I NEEDED something to keep my hands and mind busy. It was an added bonus that I had some great gifts for friends and family!
Grand-daughter’s baby blanket
blanket for friend’s baby
sweater for friend’s baby
Crocheted Dishcloths
I currently have been making baby blankets, booties and sweet baby sweaters for friends and loads of dishcloths for me. I even have some crocheted soap savers in my e-store.
KNIT – -
At the concert and the play
Everywhere you see them sitting,
Knitting, knitting.
Women who the other day
Thought of nothing but their frocks
Or their jewels or their locks,
Women who have lived for pleasure,
Who have known no work but leisure,
Now are knitting, knitting, knitting
For the soldiers over there.
On the trains and on the ships
With a diligence befitting,
They are knitting.
Some with smiles upon their lips,
Some with manners debonair,
Some with earnest look and air.
But each heart in its own fashion,
Weaves in pity and compassion
In their knitting, knitting, knitting
For the soldiers over there.
Hurried women to and fro
From their homes to labour flitting,
Knitting, knitting,
Busy handed come and go.
Broken bits of time they spare,
Just to feel they do their share,
Just to keep life’s sense of beauty
In the doing of a duty,
They are knitting, knitting, knitting
For the soldiers over there.
by Ella Wheeler Wilcox, 1919 in her book, “Poems of Optimism”
Blessings, ~Aunt Mae (aka ~Mrs. R)
Photo Credits: captioned photos are my own, artwork & vintage photos from art.com, movie still I captured, loom from Hands & Hearts website
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{ 2 comments… read them below or add one }
I left a message earlier and it is not here. I love the pink baby blanket and sweater.
Funny thing… I saw it earlier and responded to it. I don’t see my response either… but it is in my comment section. Not sure why it didn’t show up… Thanks for commenting again!