EMBROIDERY BUREAU

The month of July 2013 is dedicated to old embroidery and related items from my collection. Below you will see some interesting handmade domestic objects, designed and lovingly created by ordinary folk.

Bureau contents include: Embroidered napkins, handkerchiefs and tray cloths, carbon design transfers, Anchor threads and stitching manuals.

Needlewoman magazine, September 1939

Embroidered Napkins

                           Linen napkins from a charity shop in Blackpool. Maker unknown.

1940s Embroidery Thread Advertisements

Nancy's Embroidery

                                                   Nancy embroidering a tablecloth, 2001

                                         Nancy (far left) with her friends at the Pop In, 2001

In 2001 I worked as a support worker in Lewisham. One of my clients was Nancy who was a talented embroider. She started sewing when she was young and continued to do so throughout her life. On my many visits to her home she took great pride in sharing with me her collection of embroidered cloths. Her floral designs were stitched onto crisp white linen using colourful Anchor threads.

Over the years she made many household items including table and tray cloths, some were from as far back as the 1940s. She continued to embroider into her old age in spite of her health.

We used to visit the local charity shop in Lee Green and look for interesting bits and bobs for Nancy's home. I admired her thrifty attitude towards reusing and recycling.

Monogrammed Handkerchiefs

Lettering for Stitchers

                               A Handbook of Lettering for Stitchers by Elsie Svennas, 1966.

I like the idea of stitching a mark of ownership on fabrics around the home. This book contains some examples of stitched monograms in various kinds of type as well as more elaborate forms.
On inherited linen such as storage bags, napkins and handkerchiefs, we often see old monograms which indicate interesting links to the past.

Cross-Stitch Alphabet

Cross-stitched Sampler

Fig. L shows a useful cross-stitch alphabet, from 'The Big Book of Needlecraft' Odhams Press, 1935

10 Embroidery Stitches

                         Pages from '29 Embroidery Stitches.' Price Threepence. Date unknown.

Embroidered Gifts for Christmas

                                Stitchcraft November 1940

                                                 

How to make a collar

From Stitchcraft June 1940, which came with a free embroidery transfer to make a nightdress case, hankie case and collar.

Betty Holt's Blackpool Tower Handkerchief

This embroidered handkerchief belonged to my Nan and was made in 1970. It celebrates the 40th anniversary of the Women's League of Health and Beauty. I can remember Nan talking about her trip to the Royal Albert Hall with the WLBA to perform in a display of exercise routines en masse. The women wore white tops and black satin shorts when performing. There is an interesting article about Prunella Stack who was head of the WLBA  here.

Needle and Thread

                         Needle and Thread by Gisela Hein, published by Batsford, 1971

Gisela Hein demonstrates various basic stitches and how they can be used, including weaving, embroidery and applique work. Many of the textiles featured were created by young children.

Shoe Storage

                                        A linen shoe bag with cross-stitched letters.