Un-embroidered linens, lying underneath and in piles of vintage embroidered linens,

always get the chance to come home with me when I am at a sale. In fact, I look for the vintage stamped linens, that someone started to embroider on years ago............

and for whatever reason, never got to finish. These pieces speak to me and I often wonder about the stitcher............what was she wanting this design to look like when she was finished?.............what colors would she have chosen?

Last week, I came upon one such piece. This piece in the photo above, has the most wonderful design.......with only a little bit of existing embroidery.

And as most of you know.............I usually always remove the previous stitching..................

but not on this one......................

I just felt this stitching needed to remain..............the remnants of someone else's dream and imagination.................with the stitches of my imagination to go along with hers.

Whoever did embroider this, did a very nice job.

As you can see, only the black trellis was stitched on this design.

So with the black as my background to build upon, I chose the larger flower to work with first.

As you can see, there are only 7 spaces for french knots in the center.............

I always like to start embroidery in the center of a flower................how about you?

As many of you know..............I never stick to the original design,..........I added a few more french knots..............in a light shade of yellow,

 

and the "painter" side of me added a darker shade of yellow french knots for a more "real " effect.

I used a few shades of pink................and the flower.................

bloomed!

I love lazy daisy designs, but once again..................I have to breathe some life into the design,

(click onto photo for a better view)

by adding a lot of lazy daisy stitches...........and a lot more french knots in different colors.

Once again, the same lovely design .............

once again, more stitches than what the pattern calls for and more shades of color.

(click onto photo for a better view)

Here is one bottom end finished! I love the subtle shades of the flowers and the blues of the french knots...........don't you? I have the other end to finish and then I will embroider the clusters of flowers that run along the sides.

The black trellis looks perfect for the flowers..............I'm glad I let it remain.

What would the one who previously stitched this think, I wonder??

Now it's your turn!

Go out and find some un-embroidered piece and let your imagination lead your needle to breathe life into the embroidery!

If you do, I want to see and hear all about it!