From The Edwardian Wardrobe ~ Hand Crochet Trimmed Garments

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The art of hand crocheting is a very old form of lace making. There has been some early documentation of crocheted textiles known about 1812 although the craft was more than likely practice prior to that date. In 1824 the first crochet patterns known were published in the Penelope magazine which was printed in Holland. Through the 1800's crocheting seems to be firmly established and along with the art, books were available giving abundance of patterns for trimming household linens as well as clothing. Today the art of crocheting is still a very popular past time.

Still, in the early years of the 20th century pattern books abound for trimming lady's under clothing and nightgowns. Many printed instructions were available for making lovely yokes for nightgowns as well as camisole or corset covers and teddies. Although some camisoles or corset covers are made entirely of crochet many though are of just a pretty crocheted yoke. The yoke would then be sewn to white fabric to complete the garment.

Here is an example of one of these wonderful instruction books. Dated 1917 by the Novelty Art Studios, Chicago, Ill. The book is 14 pages of photos with printed instructions of a variety of designs for yokes and bed caps . It certainly has a wonderful array of styles.

Two pages from the inside of the book.

Two lovely crocheted yokes in unused condition. Most of the yokes found are of a white, or off white cotton thread but occasionally a color will surface such as the pink in the second photo.

Please visit me here for more details regarding these yokes, other yokes and early crochet pattern instruction books.

A Small Guest Bedroom ~ Decorating With Antiques

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Collecting antique and vintage items is a fun experience and one we like to share. And what better way than to showcase our collection in our home. Many collections can be incorporated into a decorating style that can be very unique. But decorating with antiques or vintage can also pose some challenges as this following exert will explain.....

Decorating a small guest bedroom with two twin beds can present a challenge especially locating matching antique or vintage bed linens. If you are fortunate to buy two matching bedspreads, quilts or bedding in your color scheme it is certainly a plus. Most of the time it is not the case and may take years of searching for that perfect matched set. What to do if you don't want to wait "forever"? Here is one answer to this dilemma......read here

From The Linen Closet ~ Hand Made Doily From Ready Made Tape Lace

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At first glance this doily caught my eye as being rather attractive. Still on a closer look and examination of the lace I became more intriqued with my finding. The "lace" was, in fact, put together from ready made purchased tape braid. There were many such novelty braids used in the making of lace from the late Victorian through perhaps the 1930's. One notable would be a braid used in the making of Battenburg lace. Although the tapes used in Battenburg differs from this braid it is still of a type used in tape lace making. There were many kinds of novelty braids for doing decorative tape lace. All were packaged on card in lengths of 4 yards ready for needle work projects. The particular braid used in the making of this doily is known as turtle braid. As you notice from the photo it does have a resemblance of a turtle ... well, maybe if you use your imagination.

Now, as I show you a close up of the doily I think it will become evident how this particular braid was used to form the cleverly designed lace edging on the doily.

The tape runs both across and length wise to form the lace pattern. Bridges or brides are formed with needle and crochet thread to join and intergrate each of the turtles into the whole of the piece. As you look at the photo again I think one can see each group of four "turtles" in a circle takes the look of a flower. Amazing piece, isn't it!

Want to see other estate doilies and table linens? Please visit The Gatherings Antique Vintage

Antique Estate Bed Linens ~ Beauties Of The Past

Visit The Gatherings, to see all of the beautiful antique and vintage textiles I have ~ antique clothing, hats, accessories, children's clothing, vintage bed and table linens, antique children's toys, vintage sewing notions, quilts and so much more!

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Excitement is in the air here at The Gatherings Antique Vintage . I am a buzzin ' to share the news with you of all the most incredible bed linens from the early part of the 1900's I have acquired. These delectable beauties from well-to-do estates do speak of a past time of luxury.

I have had the good fortune in the past to buy many trousseau items and again, many of these new acquisitions are just such items ~ stored away never to have been used.

I could write many adjectives to describe these lovely pieces but then why not let you view for yourself ~ ~ ~ ~

This gorgeous pure linen sheet is monogrammed in a padded satin embroidery stitch. And, oh the feel of the linen ~ well, there isn't words to describe!!

A beautiful cutwork embroidery sheet with a very deep scallop edge. So romantic with the bow and ribbon streamers accented with flora sprays.

This sheet is in the finest word of classic! So simple and so elegant! Pure linen with a row of hemstitching. This sheet is hand sewn.

If you like what you see here please visit The Gatherings Antique Vintage for more lovelies to dazzle the eye!

Early 1900 Americana Pillow Cover ~ A Patriotic Style

Visit The Gatherings, to see all of the beautiful antique and vintage textiles I have ~ antique clothing, hats, accessories, children's clothing, vintage bed and table linens, antique children's toys, vintage sewing notions, quilts and so much more!

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To honor flag day, June 14 and Independence Day, July 4, I thought I would post a photo of a early 1900's pillow cover. I think the sentiment of the words say it all.

Pillow tops such as this one were produced by various companies during the late Victorian into the early part of the 1900's. The tops were stamped tinted cotton fabric to be embroidered. Many of goods such as this top were offered through lady's needlework magazines. One such catalog was Priscilla Fancy Work, Boston, Ma. Not only were the offerings pre-stamped but stencils could be purchased through the catalog to be used on a variety of household goods.

Not only were Patriotic pillow tops offered but all types and styles from flora to animals, Arts and Crafts, mottos & figural just to mention a few. The list seems endless just from the amount of covers and variety of covers I have had over the years. Some have been beautifully embroidered while others have been stored away just as first purchased. Alas, our ladies even then had projects they never seen completed.

A Lesson In Tenerife Lace ~ A Victorian Handkerchief

Visit The Gatherings, to see all of the beautiful antique and vintage textiles I have ~ antique clothing, hats, accessories, children's clothing, vintage bed and table linens, antique children's toys, vintage sewing notions, quilts and so much more!

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I love beautiful needlework whether is it hand sewing or lace making. Although I have never been very adept with a needle it does not stop me from the appreciation of beautiful textiles. And I do consider it a joy just to be able to touch pieces from the past. However, for me, it doesn't stop at the point of touching and admiring as I immediately want to know more. Names, how-to techniques, time periods ~ anything connected with the piece. So I am always researching, studying and asking questions. Some identifications come easy and other times not so easy to the point of being elusive. Often these pieces are set aside to be studied again at a later date.

I do have to share with you a lovely Victorian handkerchief ~ now this was an easy lesson. The lace work is called Tenerife. It is a thread work consisting of "spokes" or "wheels". When it is finished it does resemble a spoke or wheel. A number of years ago I acquired a loom to make this beautiful lace. I'm not sure if loom would be the correct term but to me it seemed so. It was round with the diameter being 2". Along the outside edge around the circumference of the piece were upright projections to loop the thread around and across to form the design. Some designs of this thread work can be quite breath taking.

This silk handkerchief consist of two narrow bands of drawn thread work plus the wider band of tenerife. Notice how the Tenerife does look like spokes or wheels. The handkerchief is silk as well as the threads of the Tenerife lace. A well preserved hanky ~ possibly a gift and stored away as it shows no usage.