Where vintage linen designs came from

Throughout the years, I have researched different aspects of hand embroidery. I have always wondered where the stitchers got their beautiful designs from. A while back, I was fortunate enough to come across a website named The Vintage Cat. http://www.vintagecat.com They have so many vintage items, especially concerning needlework. I ordered this catalog pictured above.Notice the date is 1914. It is filled with dresser scarves, bedroom linens and women's garments kits for stitchers back at that time to order and then proceed their handwork on what ever they ordered.
A handy stitch guide is in the first pages of the catalog to help the stitcher with the stitches she encounters with each item she orders.

There are so many beautiful pieces of undergarments one could have ordered from this catalog.


The pictures are not that good(sorry) but if you click on the photo, you can get a better view. Here one could pick out the garment with the design she wanted to embroider. I am so amazed at the costs.....40 cents, and so on.

Pillow cases and sheet kits were also available.

How I wish there was still a source to obtain such beautiful pieces to stitch. The catalog is full of different types of items for stitching. There is also a section where one can order embroidery floss as well. Even though these are only pictures of the designs, I still get inspiration from them when I want to make something look vintage. Do you remember Grandmother or Aunts who might have had a kit or even one of these catalogs? I had never heard of these until I found them on the Vintage Cat website. Go over and visit Charlotte. She has some wonderful items!