Needlework finds

I haven't written a blog post for so long I'm going to have to relearn how to do it. So today I am just sharing some needlework images that I hope you will enjoy.

I enjoy estate sale and rummage sales. Recently I have been finding beautiful examples of lace and other needlework - crocheting, knitting, tatting, hardinger, cutwork, and more. The prices are frequently low - so now I have a collection of needlework.

Vintage Doily (diameter about 9.5 inches)

The details of the needlework I collect captivate me - the artistry, the design, the creativity, the knowledge and the skill, the amount of time it would take to create the piece. I think the amount of time it would take to duplicate a piece awes me.

Vintage Needlework doily with crocheted edge

I learned to sew, crochet, embroider and knit. I have done weaving, cross-stitch and hardinger - mostly tiny projects, like Christmas ornaments. I decided I didn't want to become "jack of all trades, master of none" - so I decided to concentrate on quilting and left the other crafts behind. But my beginner skills have left me with an appreciation for the needlework I now find at estate sales.

Vintage Lace with a 3-d Rose petals

The pieces are rarely perfect - because it's handwork, and because of the passage of time.  Still, the skills the needlework displays make me marvel.  For example, in the image above, the middle rose petals are free from the background - see how they are folded up in this detail as opposed to the first image.

Detail of doily with crocheted edge.

I like to try to figure what techniques were used for a piece.  The edge of the doily above is crocheted, but the acorn like shapes in the piece above is a technique I have never seen before.



Click on the images to see them enlarged.


If you enjoyed this post you might also like:

Spring Needlework

Vintage Lace

Stockings

Heart Quilt

Batik Scrap Quilt

Spring Hutch

Easter Hutch

Spring China

I am linking to these parties:

Dedicted House: Make it Pretty Monday 40 (Entry 312 of 375.)

Mod Vintage: Mod Mix Mon 92 (Entry 65 of 72.)
Boogie Board: Masterpiece Mon 114 (Entry 121 of 143.) 

BNOTP: Metamorphis Monday 216 (Entry 230 of 238.)
Making the World Cuter (Entry 187 of 199.)

Coastal Charm: Nifty Thrifty Tues 154 (Entry 186 of 278.)

Maria: Tue at our Home (Entry 23 of 35.)

Uncommon Slice: Tues Treasures 126  (Entry 128 of 266.) 

Diamond: Time to Shine 108 (Entry 132 of 157.) 

Uncommon Design: Monday Funday 9 (Entry 612 of 671.)

Twigg: Sunday Showoff 9 (Entry 91 of 94.)

Stroll Life: Table Top Tue 156 (Entry 73 of 126.)

Sew: Sew Darn Crafty 105 (Entry 199 of 207.) 

Savvy Style: Wow Us Wed 109 (Entry 299 of 472.)  

Lavender Garden: Cottage Style 35 (Entry 21 of 36.)
Handy: Wicked Awesome Wed 101 (Entry 85 of 128.)
Rose Chintz Cottage: Wed (Entry 10 of 35.)
Faith Grace: Pearls and Lace Thur (Entry 12 of 26.)
Brambleberry Cottage: Time Travel Thur 140 (Entry 45 of 81.)

A Delight: Home and Garden Thur (Entry 70 of 77.)
Shabby Chic: Transformation Thur 195, (Entry 183 of 481.)
Sew Much Ado: We Did It Wed (Entry 233 of 255.)
Charm of Home: Home Sweet Home 110 (Entry 76 of 150.)

Jen Rizzo: Fabulously Creative Fri (Entry 164 of 187.)
Thrifty Grove: Thrifty Things Fri 100 (Entry 36 of 64.)

French Country: Feather Nest Fri (Entry 199 of 419.)
* Common Ground: Be Inspired 130 (Entry 139 of 249.)
* Romantic Home: Show and Tell (Entry 110 of 289.)
Chic: Flaunt it Friday 144 (Entry 105 of 281.)

Shabby Nest: Frugal Friday 144 (Entry 152 of 435.)
Annamarie: Link your Stuff 20 (Entry 178 of 215.) 

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