Spring Needlework

Vintage Cross Stitch from a tea towel

Here in Wisconsin, the daffodils started blooming the last weekend in April - and the tulips had buds, the grass was green, but the trees were still bare.  Since spring is finally starting I decided to share some very spring-like vintage needlework linens I have collected.  One word that describes these linens is "Sweet".  

Vintage Cross stitch detail from a pillowcase

The two photos above show two cross stitch samples.  I love the coloration on these two projects - so beautiful and springy.  I have made a few cross stitch projects, mostly Christmas ornaments, and so I have an appreciation for the time cross stitch takes.  (About eight hours to make a small Christmas ornament).  So when I see a lovely project at an estate sale or rummage sale, I enjoy collecting it. 

Vintage blanket stitch hand applique detail

The next type of needlework I am sharing I have only ever seen at estate or rummage sales, but now I have several examples.  The brightly colored blanket stitch hand applique is fascinating to me.  The blanket stitches are so tiny and nearly invisible on the back.  The fabric appliqued has beautiful variations in color, and the color is so pure.     

Details from two hand appliqued tea towels

Above I am showing the two towels together so you can see the differences in the placement of the color, for example in the blue flower.  These towels may have been "mass produced", (I am guessing), but the needlework is still done by hand.   

Needlework tree in bloom

This final example is machine done (I presume). A whimsical tree in bloom shines on the lightest weight pink fabric.  I like how the designer made the trunk detail have actual holes through the fabric.  This example is also from a towel, and I find the pink and gray combination sophisticated.  

I hope these springy needlework linens cheer you as much as they cheer me.

Click on the images to see them enlarged. 


If you enjoyed this post you might also like:

Vintage Lace

Stockings

Heart Quilt

Batik Scrap Quilt

Spring Hutch

Spring China

Mosaic Heart

Butterfly Bling

I am linking to these parties:

Brambleberry Cottage: Time Travel Thur 147 (Entry 50 of 81.)
Col Lady: Vintage Thingies Thur (Entry 15 of 20.) 
Shabby Creek: Transformation Thur 202 (Entry 376 of 475.) *

A Delight: Home and Garden Thur 22 (Entry 64 of 91.)
Faith Grace: Pearls and Lace Thur 134 (Entry 25 of 32.)
Thrifty Grove: Thrifty Things Fri 107 (Entry 4 of 56.)
Domesblissity: Thriving on Thurs 65 (Entry 89 of 106.) 
Katherine: Thurs Favorite Things 86 (Entry 186 of 268.) 
House of Hepworths: Hooking Up 146 (Entry 270 of 375.) 
Glimpse inside: Catch a Glimpse 129 (Entry 177 of 260.) 
Charm of Home: Home Sweet Home Thur 117 (Entry 49 of 143.) 
Jan Olson: Share your Cup of Tea Thur 56 (Entry 88 of 116.)
From my Porch: Treasure Hunt Thur 105 (Entry 103 of 117.) 
Blue Egg: Vintage Love Thur (Entry 8 of 19.) 
Creative Princess: Its a Party 103 (Entry 122 of 136.)
Jen Rizzo: Fabulous Friday (Entry 15 of 141.) 

French Country: Feather Nest Fri (Entry 45 of 301.)
* Common Ground: Vint Inspiration 138 (Entry 69 of 236.)
* Romantic Home: Show and Tell (Entry 115 of 311.)
Chic on a Shoestring: Flaunt it Fri 152 (Entry 80 of 263.)
Shabby Nest: Frugal Friday (Entry 130 of 399.)
Tatertots: Weekend Wrap Up (Entry 540 of 780.) 
Funky Junk: Sat Night Special 184 (Entry 67 of 107.)

The Tablescaper: Seasonal Sunday 150 (Entry 56 of 94.)
I Heart Naptime: Sundae Scoop 78 (Entry 235 of 546.)
Simple Five: Inspire me Fri 101 (Entry 15 of 128.) 
Rooted in Thyme: Simple and Sweet Fri (Entry 56 of 77.)
Dedicated: Anything Blue Fri 7 (Entry 5 of 78.)
Natasha in Oz: Say G'day Sat 66 (Entry 118 of 191.) 

504Main: Tickled Pink 144 (Entry 161 of 238.) 

Be Different: Show and Tell Sat (Entry 288 of 345.)
BNOTP: Metamorphis Mon 224 (Entry 133 of 206.) *
Mod Vintage: Mod Mix Mon 100 (Entry 27 of 64.)
Boogie Board: Masterpiece Mon 122 (Entry 24 of 132.) h
Stephanie Lynn: Sunday Showcase 193 (Entry 195 of 266.) 
Making the World Cuter 53 (Entry 102 of 190.)
Uncommon Design: Mon Funday 16 (Entry 57 of 623.)
Coastal Charm: Nifty Thrifty Tues 162 (Entry 19 of 252.)
Homemaker: Creative bloggers 110 (Entry 60 of 171.) 
Dedicated: Make it Pretty Mon 48 (Entry 97 of 339.)

Cedarhill Ranch: The Scoop Tues 65 (Entry 210 of 345.)

Uncommon Slice: Tues Treasures 133  (Entry 108 of 245.) 
* Stroll Life: Inspire Me Tues 163 (Entry 114 of 206.) 
Diamond: Time to Shine 115 (Entry 77 of 131.)
Knick of Time: Knick of Time Tue 85 (Entry 32 of 57.)
Rain on a Tin Roof: Give Me the Goods 6 (Entry 83 of 200.) 
Serendipity and Spice: Manic Mon 56 (Entry 1 of ?b.) 
Maleviks Rose: Saturday Show Off (Entry 66 of 76.)

Family Home: Wow Us Wed (Entry 43 of 92.)
Someday Crafts: Whatever Goes Wed 169 (Entry 89 of 421.)
Savvy Style: Wow Us Wed 117 (Entry 165 of 367.) h *
Trendy Tree: Creative Share Wed (Entry 1 of 235.)
Lavender Garden: Cottage Style 43 (Entry 30b of 54.) 
Annamarie: Link your Stuff (Entry 174 of 205.)
Le Chateau des fleurs: Mon Link Party  (Entry 178 of 240.)
Cottage market: Junkin Joe Vintage  (Entry 38 of 39.)
Dwellings: Amaze me Mon 5 (Entry 52 of 60.) 
Cozy House: Tweak it Tuesday 39 (Entry 119 of 131.)
No Minimalist Here: Open House (Entry 44 of 171.)

 
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