Do you have a heritage of needlework?
July 28, 2008 by Chloe Findlay-Harder
Filed under Home & Living
guest post by Mary Emma Allen of Quilting & Patchwork
Needlework has long been a necessary, yet relaxing activity, generally for women although some men have expertise in this area. Women have engaged in sewing, quiltmaking, crocheting, knitting, tatting and embroidery to provide clothing, bedding, and other household items throughout the ages. Even when they can purchase what they need, women still sew and quilt and do other needlework for enjoyment and a sense of accomplishment.
Looking back over my family’s activities, I see I have a heritage of needlework.
Nanny made quilts by hand, sitting by the woodstove in her kitchen throughout the winter days and evenings. She also sewed doll clothes for my sister and me. I recall learning to piece quilts with her. I have memories, too, of sitting on the porch of our farmhouse, when she visited, and having her teach me to stitch clothes for my dolls.
Mother made dresses for Sister and me by using the treadle sewing machine set up in her bedroom. Even though my sister and I were 15 months apart in age, Mother sometimes made us matching dresses, or dresses of the same fabric design but in different colors.
Auntie, who lived with Nanny, helped with the quilting when it came time to put the quilt together and tie it. They spread it on the dining table, laying out a the backing, flannel sheet filling, and the pieced top in 4-patch design.
Aunt Freda crocheted delicate lace borders around her handkerchiefs. (Ladies used hankies in those days, not facial tissue.) She amazed me how quickly she could do this and add decoration to an otherwise plain accessory. My aunt also gave us crocheted hankies as gifts.
Cousin Virgilia mentioned making quilts and learning to sew when she was six-years old. She wrote a letter to my mom, that I still have, about this activity.
I learned to sew at six-years old,too, making an apron, then a drawstring skirt, from feed sack fabric. These were 4-H projects under the tutelage of our neighbor, Aunt Mary. I discovered I still have the skirt.
What is your needlework heritage? Why not share with Chloe and me? At least write down some of these memories for yourself and your family. They’re priceless!
(c)2008 Mary Emma Allen
Mary Emma Allen blogs at Quilting and Patchwork (www.quiltingandpatchwork.com) and One Book Two Book (www.onebooktwobook.com ) in the Lifestyles Channel. She also writes at Home Biz Notes (www.homebiznotes.com) and Alzheimer’s Notes (www.alzheimersnotes.com ).
Thank you, Chloe, for inviting me to write a guest post for you here at Tangled Thread. I enjoyed thinking about my family heritage of needlework and sharing with your readers.
My mother and her sister use to quilt. They were taught by grandma brown. They would do the handquilting together.
My mother taught me to crochet and she made most of my clothes because I was so tall and nothing would fit me right. She taught me to sew while I was in grade school.
I make a lot of my own clothes and crochet afghans for my family.
I am teaching my nieces to sew as well.
I hope this continues on through out the family and for many years to come.