I cannot count my day complete
'Til needle, thread and fabric meet.
~Author Unknown

Sharing a common thread with those who love the art of hand embroidery

Saturday, January 3, 2009

There's just something about a white cotton cloth and white embroidery

First of all.... I want to thank each one of you who left a comment and told me what kinds of flowers you would like to see stitched on linens I have for sale soon. Your comments were so helpful and "woke me up" to the other possibilities beyond roses.
I was fortunate enough to find several large 38in.x 38in. hemmed white cotton cloths a few months back. Whenever I see such items, my thoughts lean towards the vintage embroidery done years ago with white thread on linens.

I received several vintage iron on transfers before Christmas and this one particular design captured my heart. I could just picture it stitched in browns, earth greens and dusty pinks... however, as I was tracing it onto one of the white cloths...
I knew it would be so pretty done in heirloom stitches with white thread.

I have been stitching on it for the past few days and I am liking the results, even though this is just base stitching and not the finished result ( I really don't like to show the early stages of this stitching, because it looks "bad". But the finished result will look beautiful. This is just the center design of the cloth... it will need edge and corner designs as well as a border stitch. Much work in the months ahead.. I will decide on these factors as I go. Although I need to sell these kinds of things... I really want to keep this for my dining room table. If this turns out the way I hope.. I will embroider the other cloths for future sell. Now my question to all of you....... would you rather have white on white embroidery with designs like this...or would you rather have a palette of colors? Which colors? You have all helped so much in your comments on this subject and I am keeping note. I can't wait to hear from you all!



9 comments:

Margie said...

I do like colors, especially pinks and greens, but the white on white is very, very classy and special!

You do beautiful work!

Have a lovely day!
Margie :)

Linda said...

Kathleen, this is already beautiful....your stitching is amazing.
I love color...but for certain settings the white on white would be very elegant...I'm thinking such as a runner or your tablecloth, the piece would stand on it's own and enhance the dishes , vase etc. Hugs, Linda

Childers Corner said...

Kathy, I love ALL of your work. You're just good at what you do. You always pick the right colors. I wish I could see well enough to still stitch but it's just so hard.

Jane Smith said...

As always, beautiful stitching.

Vintage Linen Treasures said...

I love this design and it will look absolutely GORGEOUS done in white. Very classic and elegant! It's looking amazing already!
Patricia :o)

Gina E. said...

Oooh Kathleen, your eyes must be so good to be able to do white on white stitching! I would never attempt it now - maybe 40 years ago! I have a large array of vintage whitework in my collection, which has been handed down to me from my parents. Sadly I don't know if it was my father's side or my mother's side of the family, but at least I know it comes from one of them.

Theresa @ Take A Sentimental Journey said...

Kathleen, This is going to be so beautiful ! I love white on white.Keep us updated. I sure wish I lived closer to you, so I could get some lessons.Have you ever thought about doing a tutorial.

Thank you for having your church pray for me.So sweet of you to do this.

Ceekay-THINKIN of HOME said...

Hi...thanks for commenting on my blog. I love getting visitors! Your white on white is gorgeous. I would be in a heap of trouble trying to pick a favorite of your stitchery!

Yolanda said...

These are so prety and remind me so much of my granny.