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

Friday, June 5, 2015

I opened my vintage shop with the soul purpose........and dream

 to hand embroider linens to match the vintage items in my shop.
My shop is overflowing with vintage dishware, glassware, and a few pieces like this set in the above photo.  Some pieces sit in "waiting" until I find the right design and idea on how to incorporate them together. 
This 1960s wall hanging set had me picturing a vintage bathroom...........
so I decided upon this design ......from Aunt Martha's transfers. 
And you know me by now.........
I cant just embroider the lines as it shows........
I have to add my own few stitches.........


here is" before"..............


here is "after".
I found an antique gold color floss and added extra embroidery to the wing tips of the bird

here is "before"

here is "after"

Here is " before"
Since I chose light shades of pink ,I wanted the flowers to still stand out

Here is "after" 
I embroidered the flowers in long and short stitch and worked clusters of gold french knots for the centers. I also worked the leaves in closed fly stitch.



Here is the whole picture. 
If I had chosen this design to embroider before finding the vintage wall hangings, 
 I would have embroidered the birds in blue........I am most sure.
So the gold gave me a whole new perspective in embroidery. 



I purchased a beautiful pink bath towel with matching washcloth and cut the bird embroidery into an oval shape. I then edge finished the embroidered piece in closed buttonhole stitch  and stitched it onto the towel. 

Now I have a set.........vintage..........new.........and usable........to offer.
How about you? 
Do you have favorite vintage pieces that you still like to use?

12 comments:

Wren said...

As always, your work is stunning, and just the right touch of your creativitness to make it perfect!!

Carol- Beads and Birds said...

Beautiful. I love to look at vintage. I used to have our home full of antique items in the decor. With 3 dirty dogs that shake dust into the air, I have put most things away. Your stitching is beautifully done. I do think I'd like the birds better in blue better. Yesterday I picked up flour sack towels for some future embroidery, not necessarily to be used as towels. The cotton is far too thin, not at all like the towels I use. Another project on the to do list.
xx, Carol

Marianne said...

Kathleen, thank you for your visit and sweet comment. It's always good to see you because I know you have something wonderful to show on your blog...so here I am. You always amaze me with your imagination. I love the set, and think the gold embroidery goes very well with that pretty towel set. And I love how you incorporate an embroidery design to match a pattern or object you have.

I thought of you last night, because I suddenly remembered that I had once embroidered simple pretty little flowers on a tablecloth and napkins about 30 years ago (whew! where does the time go?)to match the wallpaper in the kitchen of my former home. I have it packed away and thought I should take it out and use it.

I love the way your did the birds' wings. Your stitching is always so pretty and inspiring. I love visiting your blog. And for anyone else reading this, Kathleen's work is more even more lovely in person.

Enjoy a blessed weekend,
Marianne xox

Laurie said...

Once again, you have me in awe! This turned out so gorgeous.

FlowerLady Lorraine said...

Your embroidery really turned out lovely using the gold thread. I like it. Love those brass wall hangings too.

Have a nice weekend ~ FlowerLady

Karen said...

Your embroidery is beautiful, I love the gold and it goes so nicely with the bird decorations. I do love to use vintage items, too, we have vintage needlework items all over the house.

Unknown said...

Wow, I really liked the gold. I, too, would have sewn the birds in blue. I think the set is perfect together and will make a stunning addition to someones bathroom!

A Colorful World said...

I love your idea of matching things in your shop to hand-embroidered pieces, and you have done a beautiful job with these! I love embroidery so much and plan to do some more dishtowels, pillow cases for gifts. But, right now I am way behind in all my projects! :-) The embroidered, hand-painted baby quilt took months! I am working on some things right now for the Children's Home on the Reservation, and I have a surprise planned for my son-in-law the chef for his 39th birthday....a stuffed plush pig wearing a chef coat & hat that I found a pattern for!

KathyB. said...

I love the way you take simple embroidery and turn it into a piece I would call a treasure. Beautiful !

I have that very transfer pattern and now am re-thinking the color scheme.

Gina E. said...

Absolutely gorgeous as always, Kathleen {{hugs}}

~Lavender Dreamer~ said...

That is so very pretty. I have old linens I've bought at the thrift store that I decorate with. I love them. Hugs, Diane

letslearnembroidery said...

I'm speechless!