Wednesday, July 20, 2022

TEA TOWEL AND LINEN EMBROIDERY OF LONG AGO--by Cheryl Pierson



When I was a young girl, I became fascinated with wanting to learn to embroider. Mom started showing me when I was about 10 or so—just the simple stitches, nothing fancy. But by the time I was in high school in the 70’s, I was pretty darn good at it and could do a lot of pretty things to jazz up my blue jeans and chambray shirts! I think my mom lamented the days gone by of embroidering handkerchiefs and aprons. At one point, I made my husband a shirt and had an artist friend free-hand the cover of the Eagles’ One of These Nights album onto the back of it. I embroidered it for him, and he had people offer him money for that shirt several times!

My grandmother had some tea towels she had embroidered. Where she found time to do that with raising 11 kids, I will never know. But now, I’m thinking that must have been something that was somewhat relaxing for women to do during that time period—after all, they could SIT DOWN while they worked! Granny had used Aunt Martha’s embroidery pattern iron on transfers (a staple for homemakers back then!) and she gave me a couple of packages of them. I still have them somewhere—I think they were puppies and lambs.

A few years ago, my sister and I were at a yard sale and we came upon a box of embroidered tea towels, pillow cases and table runners. All done by hand. All so unappreciated. The entire box for $2. We couldn’t pass it up, because we both just love old things. So we bought it, knowing we’d never use any of it. Just wash it and keep it because it was so old and someone had spent a good deal of time working on those things. I think we both must have been thinking of our mom, who spent long hours of the night painting—thinking of the time and love and effort she put into that hobby of hers. Did someone do the same with these old tea towels?

I’d forgotten about them until we moved the china cabinet. I had to clean it out to move it and then put everything back inside. I “found” them and it was like Christmas all over again! I didn’t take time to iron them, but you can get an idea of the age and care that was used to embellish these everyday kitchen towels from long ago. I still have some pillowcases I did many years ago. I don’t think my eyes could handle working on those projects now. I miss it!

Do you remember seeing tea towels, pillow cases, even sheets—and other household items from the past that had been lovingly embroidered?

14 comments:

  1. I used to embroider also but my eyesight just isn't that good any longer! I remember how satisfying it was to see that image appearing!

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Oh, JES, I agree! I don't think my eyes are up to the task anymore, UNLESS I get one of those magnifiers they make for quilters and crafters. Maybe then. I do miss it!

      Delete
  2. My mother embroidered. We had so many doillies. I wonder what happened to them. Did you learn to tat as well?

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Jesse I would have loved to learn how to do tatting. That just seemed like pure magic to watch someone do that. I did learn to crochet, but just very basic patterns and all I can make are afghans. LOL I don't know if I can even remember how to do that now, it's been so long.

      Delete
  3. I learned to embroider in junior high home ec class. I remember the iron-on transfers and having to turn the raw edges of the tea towels and hem them and make those perfectly-turned corners or Mrs. Alstat would rip out all the stitching and make me start over. Ugh. I have no idea what happened to that set of embroidered tea towels. I had embroidered seven for the days of the week rhyme: Monday's child is fair of face. Tuesday's child is full of grace. Wednesday's child is full of woe. Thursday's child has far to go. Saturday's child is loving and giving. And the child that is born on a bright Sunday is fair and wise and good and gay.

    THAT was a lot of embroidering for a junior high girl who didn't have a domestic bone in her body, and who resented not being allowed in shop and auto-mechanics class, because of the school district's policies on appropriate classes for girls and boys.

    I agree, though, and truly appreciate the hours and hours of hand-work that goes into an embroidered item. I would have bought that box of embroidered goodies, too. ;-)

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Oh, Kaye. I can only imagine how awful home ec must have been for someone who was not interested. I was interested, but only in parts of it, and I tell you, there were times it was a chore for me to even go to that class! We didn't do embroidery, but we did have to choose a "garment" to make and have it done by the end of the 2nd 9 weeks--our home ec classes were only half a year, so 2 9-week sessions. That was a lot to learn -- how to use a sewing machine and actually make something along with all the other things we had to do--the cooking and other various things we learned. Girls didn't take shop or anything like that at my school, either. Just a different time.

      I was so glad to be able to buy that box of stuff for so cheap, and my sister and I both picked out the things we really loved and USED them. I'm so glad you stopped by!

      Delete
  4. I love a post that stirs up emotions. I never knew my paternal grandmother so I don't know if she embroidered or not. And my maternal grandmother I saw once or twice at a super young age so really don't remember it. However, I do have stored away an embroidered tea towel that made its way into my hands when her things were sorted and given out.

    I resonated w/Kaye's comment also. By the time I hit middle school things had advanced a little bit for girls--I did get to take a half year of shop, but my resentment was being forced to spend the other half of the year in home ec so I have loathed sewing or anything like it ever since.

    Now tooling leather? THAT I find awesome-but I live in an apartment so it's not practical to work on leather (noise disruption). Plus I love to sniff leather. Unfinished leather smells so awesome.

    ReplyDelete
  5. Oh, you made me laugh! I love the smell of leather, too. There is just nothing like it. How nice to have a keepsake from your grandmother! I don't really have anything from my grandmother on my dad's side, but I do have some kitchen utensils from my mom's mother. I'm so glad you stopped by today!

    ReplyDelete
  6. Such a great post. I spent a lot of time working on things just like these with my mother and my grandmother. In fact, it hasn't been that long ago that I did a tablecloth and napkins for myself. I love using them when I have company. Thanks for reminding us of good memories of the past.

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Agnes, I have made soooo many gifts for others that were embroidered or cross stitched. I have a few things, but not many. I have seriously been thinking of doing a table cloth and napkins--maybe some kind of Christmas pattern. I really do love stuff like that. Yes, you are right--great memories of the past--so much love and time and effort put into these heirlooms!

      Delete
  7. Excellent, Cheryl! Goodness, how I (one who can hardly thread a needle) admire you--both for your sewing and for your writing. Thank you!

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Thank you, John, for those very kind words. I remember how I fought my mom when she tried to make me learn how to sew a button on (I think I was about 8 or 9)-- I wanted to be OUTSIDE PLAYING! LOL But what a skill. Just something simple like that is so important, and I have always enjoyed embroidery. She just needed to wait a couple of years until I was ready. LOL

      Delete
  8. That was one of the many things I tried (did) when younger. My great grandmother taught me a lot as did my mother. I have a framed piece she made for me when I was born. Talk about precious. Doris

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Awwww, DORIS! That really IS a treasure. I made Jessica a really cute wall hanging when she was born and also made both my kids a Christmas stocking. I bet I still have all those little jogging suits I did for Jessica up in the attic somewhere, with cross stitch bunnies and bears and such on the sweatshirts.

      Delete