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

Monday, November 12, 2012

Once again, an old chair has stolen my heart away.........

 
 
Last month a group of sweet ladies came to visit me. One of them brought an old chair that she has had for many years. When she read my August 29, 2012 post about an old chair I had embroidered a back for and restored..............she wanted this chair to be mine!
I love it and am so grateful to her for it.
It is a Windsor Brace Back chair............some of them dating back to the mid 1800's up to the 1930's.
 

It is called a Brace back because of the rods in the back of the chair bracing it.

I found a photo of this chair on the Internet, and it looks identical to my chair. The seat is supposed to look like the one in the photo above...........with a rush cane material............................
but you all know me....................
that is not what I have planned..............
 

I am going to create a cushion............working embroidery or some kind of needlework for the design.
I have scoured my books and have 4 designs, which I love.
The one above is a needlepoint..........but can also be worked in cross stitch.........
I love roses..............
 
especially the "fat" cabbage roses commonly found in Berlin designs...........
this is also a needlepoint........
 

I also love sprays of delicate pink roses............
this is a cross stitch pattern

and as most of you know..........my very favorite flower to grow.............
the Zinnia.........which is also a cross stitch pattern.
 Now..............which one will I decide on?
Can any of you guess??
It is very hard for me to decide............I love them all...........

For a second, I also considered just making a planter out of it.............
but no..............
this chair needs something beautiful on it.
How about you?
What design do you think would be the prettiest for the chair?
I would love to hear!
On another note.........some of you do not know that I have a recipe blog
My Country Kitchen
This week I have posted a wonderful flavored butter, great for the Thanksgiving table.
 
You can visit by clicking this link


18 comments:

Unknown said...

Whatever way you do it, I'm sure it will be beautiful!

My favourite design is the second one, though.

Jane S. said...

I like the zinnias, myself. It would still be a traditional design in that it is floral and would be done in needlework. Most traditional designs that I've seen feature the roses though, so I'd go with zinnias to be different. :)

How would cross-stitch hold up as a chair cushion? I'd be afraid of snagging it, it seems as though needlepoint would hold up much better.

Nicola said...

They are all lovely patterns and I look forward to seeing the chair restored.

lil red hen said...

What a wonderful gift! I really like the zinnia pattern. Can't wait to see what you do with it.

Bev said...

Can't wait to see....

The Woodbury's said...

I'll be excited to see which one you choose. They are all beautiful in their own way, and I can honestly say I don't know which one I like best. Let us know soon just which one you have chosen!

Lori

Cindy said...

Looks like a very fun project fro you. Something beautiful and practical. I like all the designs, but I'm a sucker for those old fashioned roses:)

papel1 said...

That is a wonderful old chair. I could be put to many uses. I always enjoy your blog. Wishing you a great Thanksgiving.
Judy

Antiques And Teacups said...

Hi there. It's nice to meet you! I have some family 1920s brace back Windsors but they have solid seats. I do cross stitch, but not needlepoint, although I did some needlepoint seats about 30 years ago for 2 chairs we got. I am afraid my canvas sort of skewed to one side...so I went back to cross stitch! Oh well...
Ruth

deb said...

Such potential for the chair! And such a hard decision to make deciding which pattern to go with....all 3 are gorgeous. You're ''new'' chair will look so proud when finished )
*hugs*deb

Debra said...

Oh thank you for your comment-I am just enraptured with your art work. I love the Thistles and Leaves with the beetle-I love bugs too! But all your designs are just lovely.
~Debra

Preeti said...

All of the designs are beautiful! I too like roses to embroider in cross stitch. I feel, the first two have more vintage look and might go with your blog theme (I know you are making this for chair:) but personally I liked the Zinnias pattern as it gives a look of vintage+retro+modern classic, all-in-one !! :)

Tammy said...

Wow! That chair is a great gift. How thoughtful of your friend to bring it a long as she knows you will spruce it up nicely. I like that first pattern ... but oh my, they are all so detailed. How long will it take you to finish a pattern? Best wishes, Tammy

liefdevoortextiel said...

Your blog is lovely !

Anonymous said...

Oooo...I just love the delicate pink roses! But you know, the zinnias are delightfully cheerful...I can't make up my mind.

I'll have to check out your Country Kitchen...looks delicious.

xo

Mini said...

That chair is a beauty! I thought the delicate pink roses would look good. Can't wait to see it restored.

Unknown said...

Hi I see this is an older blog but I had breast cancer in 2013 I wonder if you have the pattern for the pink roses. I sure would love to do it for a chair I have. I would pay you for the pattern. It is out of print as I can't find it anywhere. Please and thankyou kirsti

Yesteryear Embroideries said...

Kristi Goslow, thank you for asking about this pattern, however, I never sell patterns. However, this pattern is in Paula Vaughan cross stitch book " Pillows from Paula's Garden"
You can find almost all of her older pattern books online by entering the name of the book or by entering her name. Many of them are very reasonable. I hope this helps,
Kathleen