Sunday 31 January 2021

Memories: Stitches in Time

Any needlework activity is a source of sweet memories for me.  My sewing room is a time capsule of the last century, stuffed full of things from family and friends -- pin-tucked petticoats from the early 1900s, fashion photographs from the 1920s, tatted trims and flour sacks from the 1930s, embroidered pillow cases from the 1960s -- probably a very common situation among needleworkers, but one that makes me so happy!

Inspired by the book Crazy Patchwork by Janet Haigh, (1998), I decided to combine decades' worth of textile treasures into a soft memory album.

 

"Stitches in Time" includes applique, yo-yos, crocheted trim, embroidery, buttons, and more.  I included the initials of my grandmother, mother, myself, and my sister.

 

The little piece of vintage fabric in the bottom right, was part of a whole swatch collection sent to me by Paula B., who was one of our members for a short time.

You can read more about how I made this piece here at my personal blog, Deep in the Heart of Textiles. If you click on the image there, you will also be able to see a larger version so you can see the details -- I don't know how to arrange that in Blogger!

I think I end all of my posts the same way -- "I didn't make a dent in my supplies; I loved making this piece, and I would like to do a series!" And that is true this time as well.  :)

14 comments:

  1. I love your finishing line! That sounds familiar :-). What a fantastic piece - it has so many wonderful details and I am going to go over to your blog to read more about it. It's lovely that you have incorporated a piece from Paula. A happy reminder of a nice presence in our group.

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    1. Thank you, I really enjoy this piece. I keep petting it as I walk past. :)

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  2. The intricacy and layers you add to your work always amazes me. What a feast for our eyes.

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    1. Thank you, Maureen! I had fun auditioning the pieces and seeing where they wanted to be, and whom they wanted to be next to! :)

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  3. I love vintage fabrics and trims and this is a beautiful arrangement of colours and textures. I am coming over to your blog to see it better :)

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    1. Your link here, btw, is going to your 'Narratives Embedded' post, though (for anyone else visiting) this reveal can be found in 'Recent Posts'.

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    2. Thanks about the link! I asked Wordpress to "bookmark the permalink" on my as-yet unpublished post, but then I didn't check what it led to. I will go fix it.

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  4. I have only just realised that I missed your post Gwen, sorry! This is such a wonderful piece, filled to the brim with bits and pieces of righteousness I love everything about it :)

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    1. Yes, I accidentally published it too soon so it ended up listed as a January post. I am glad you stopped by to see it now!

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  5. Gorgeousness not righteousness :) pesky auto-correct!

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    1. My ancestors would love the "pieces of righteousness" comment. They would be nodding and saying to each other, "Well, I'm glad someone recognizes our fine upstanding lives!" :)

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    2. Well then I rescind my correction Gwen :)

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  6. So very pretty and inticiate, it just draws me in. Lovely!

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