Pair mats c.1960s

Possibly worked from a pre-transferred design on off-white linen with pre-finished hemstitched edge.

Floral design worked in stem & chain stitch using stranded cotton, 3 strands.

Edge has then been crochet into & finished with treble scallops.

Size 7.25” width x 7.75” length (18.5cm x 19.5cm)

(Likely a pair of dressing table mats)

Cushion cover c.1960s

 

Linen cushion cover worked in variety of stitches

Ecclesiastical garment c.1890

Fine cotton lawn - ecclesiastical vest

All hand stitched including ribbon 'stays' at sides

Cotton trims c.1900

Selection of cotton lace trims all hand stitched

Cotton fabrics range from fine lawn (lower trim) to almost sheeting.

All likely to have been used as insets or edgings.

Cushion with transfer 1969

Image shows instructions (left) obtained from 1969 Women's Weekly magazine together with completed example (right) being stitched in various mixed stitches. 

Cushion c.1960-70

 

Knots worked on satin backing.

Although having the appearance of earlier work, the fabric is more recent (as too the cushion inner)

Tray cloth c.1960s

Possibly worked from an iron-on transfer onto white linen (as design is not perfectly symetrical at either end, it indicates it was ironed onto fabric by stitcher).

Design of Willow Pattern worked predominantly in a variety of straight stitches although a few lines are in chain stitch.

Several shades of blue worked using stranded cotton, 3 strands.

Machine stitched hems folded to the upper, right side.

Size 15.75” width x 22.25” length (40cm x 56.5cm)

Tray cloth c.1940s

Possibly worked from a pre-transferred design on off-white linen, with pre-finished hems.

Design of flowers in a basket worked in stem & satin stitches although leaves & smaller flowers in chain stitch.

4 main colours (3 are multi-shaded) using stranded cotton, 3 strands.

Size 15.75” width x 23.25” length (40cm x 59cm)

Tray cloth c. 1950s

Possibly worked from a pre-transferred design on white linen with pre-finished hems.

Floral design worked predominantly in chain stitch with stem stitch outlines & satin stitch leaves.

5 main colours using stranded cotton, 6 strands.

Size 12” width x 17.25” length (30.5cm x 44cm)

Runner c.1940s

Possibly worked from a pre-transferred design on beige linen. However, the hem edges have been shaped & bound with bias binding which has been machine stitched (likely to be done by the stitcher).

Floral design worked mainly in buttonhole & chain stitching with straight & stem stitches to resemble buttonhole for larger central flowers.

Other linear work in stem & straight stitching.

Uses stranded cotton, 3 strands.

Max size 11” with x 42.5” length (28cm x 108cm)

Tea cosy c.1940s

Possibly worked from an iron-on transfer onto beige linen - design on 2 sides, mainly Crinoline Lady in garden.

Predominantly stem stitch & satin stitch with some French knots (bluebells), buttonhole stitches (foxgloves) & chain (a few simple flowers).

Multi colours of stranded cotton, using 3 strands (dress & hat not in multi-coloured thread but single colours & several alternating rows). Many colours have been used so may have been oddments.

French seams (by machine) used to stitch front & back sections together with a further seam line for a better fit (this may have been worked at a later stage as stitching is different size & colour) of for fitting a different teapot.

Hand stitched hemstitch along lower edge.

Size 10.25" width x 13” length (26cm x 33cm)

Mat c.1960s

Possibly worked directly on off-white linen & likely made in another country (not UK) for the tourist trade (possibly purchased as a memento from a holiday).

Geometric design worked in straight stitch ie. patterned darning.

2 colours using cotton – edges frayed to form fringe.

Size 15.5” width x 20” length (39cm x 51cm)

Tray cloth c.1950s

Possibly worked from a pre-transferred design on off-white linen with pre-finished hems.

Floral design worked in predominantly chain stitch with stem stitch outlines to flowers & stalks (one end has buttonhole edge to part of flower).

4 main colours using stranded cotton, 3 strands.

Size 16.5” width x 22.75” length (42cm x 58cm)

Chair back c.1930s

Chair-back possibly worked from a pre-transferred design on beige linen with pre-finished hems.

Floral design worked in straight, stem & satin stitches although leaf outlines & flowers in 'Lazy Daisy' (chain stitch).

6 main colours (small areas alternative colours indicate thread insufficient in some shades) - use stranded cotton, 3 strands.

Size 16.5” width x 23” length (42cm x 58.5cm)

Tray cloth c.1950s

Likely worked from a pre-transfered design on pre-edge finished beige linen.

Design mostly stem stitch & running stitch for linear design, chain for leaves & buttonhole for flowers.

2 main neutral colours (red & stone) & 4 main colours (2 shades of each blue, pink, purple, green)  use stranded cotton, 3 strands.

Size 13.5" width x 19.75” length (34cm x 50cm)

 (Matching tea cosy on next post - design on tray cloth & teacosy identical.)

Tea cosy c.1950s

Likely worked from a pre-transfered design on pre-edge finished beige linen (teacosy has been machine neatened to inside).

Mostly stem stitch & running for linear design, chain for leaves & buttonhole for flowers.

2 main neutral colours (red & stone) & 4 main colours (2 shades of each blue, pink, purple, green)  use stranded cotton, 3 strands.

Subtle difference to flower middles indicates threads being insufficient & another colour substituted.

Size 15.5” width x 11” length (39cm x 28cm).

(Matching tray cover on next post - both designs identical)

Tray cloth c.1950s

 

Possibly worked from an iron-on transfer on white linen.

Mainly satin stitch with some stem (for finer lines) & chain stitch (for curly ends & floral stem).

3 colours only - using stranded cotton, 2 & 3 strands.

Hand worked hemstitch around edges in single thread.

Size 11.75" width x 17.25” length (30cm x 43.5cm)

Mat c.1940s

Possibly worked from a pre-transferred design on off-white linen with pre-finished hemstitched edge.

‘Crinoline lady’ design worked in stem stitch using stranded cotton, 2 strands.

Edge has then been buttonhole stitched in pink & then crochet around in purple with treble scallops.

Circle diameter size 8.25" (21cm)

(Likely a dressing table mat)

Tray cloth c.1930s

Possibly worked from a pre-transferred design on off-white linen with pre-finished hemstitched edge.

Simple floral design worked in stem stitch  using stranded cotton, 2 strands.

Edge has then been crochet into & finished 3 rows treble scallops to resemble lace.

Runner 1940s

Possibly worked from an iron-on transfer onto white sheeting.

'Crinoline Lady' design worked mainly in chain & stem with a few French knots.

2 main colours with 3 other oddments only & using stranded cotton, 2 & 3 strands.

Machine zigzag finish around hem edges.

Size 8” width x 29.25” length (20.5cm x 74.5cm)

Apron c.1940s

Possibly worked from iron-on transfers worked onto a discarded or worn sheet.

Floral design worked in a variety of stem, straight & satin stitches with main flowers in buttonhole stitch.

Uses a single strand fine embroidery/crochet yarn.

All hemming & pocket additions worked in zigzag machine stitch – likely stitched by maker.

Waist straps fastened to main apron with buttons & buttonholes.

Adult size.

Nightwear case c.1940s

Possibly worked from an iron-on transfer (or tracing) onto a remnant of off-white cotton satin (maybe sheeting).

Design on front flap with satin stitch along hems - mostly stem stitch with a few rows of whip stitch in another shade. 4 main colours using stranded cotton, 3 strands.

Hand stitched French seam to sides.

Size 15.75” width x 11.5” length (40cm x 29cm)

Handmade dress c.1950s

 

Handmade linen-style dress with rose motifs on bodice & skirt

Handmade rug c.1990

 Handmade wool rug with herringbone edge

Runner c.1920s

Possibly worked from a pre-transferred design on heavy-weight beige linen. However, the hem edges have been shaped & bound with bias binding which has been machine stitched (likely to be done by the stitcher).

Floral design worked mainly in stem, running & chain stitching.

Main floral pattern stitched in heavy embroidery/crochet yarn & remainder in stranded cotton, 6 strands. 

Max size 11” width x 42.5” length (28cm x 108cm)

(Linen table runner possibly for bedroom use)

Runner c.1940s

Possibly worked from a pre-transferred design on beige linen with pre-finished hems.

Floral design worked in straight, stem & satin stitches with a few French knots in larger flower centres.

8 main colours (clearly visible on reverse but front has faded & worn) using stranded cotton, 3 strands. 

Size 11” width x 41.75” length (28cm x 106cm)

Handkerchief case c.1930s

Possibly worked from an iron-on transfer onto green linen.

Design on 1 side – young lady in mainly full-skirted dress & stole looking over balcony with chinese lanterns.

Predominantly stem stitch & satin stitch – 4 main colours using stranded cotton, 3 strands.

Buttonhole stitch around edges to join 2 sections together.

Size 6.75” width x 8.25” length (17cm x 21cm)

(Likely made as a handkerchief case)

Panels c. 1950s

 

Worked from an iron-on transfer (red outline remains visible) onto remnants of white linen with machine-stitched finished hems (likely by the stitcher).

Mostly stem stitch but ouline of rose petals worked in buttonhole stitch.

Design uses stranded cotton, 6 strands (creates an embossed style to the design). Yellow rose – uses 4 colours; red rose – uses 5 (thread may have been insufficient).

Size 8” width x 12.5” length (20cm x 32cm)

Cushion cover c.1950s

Possibly worked from an iron-on transfer onto beige linen.

Floral design worked in satin stitch.

Multi coloured & uses stranded cotton, 3 strands.

Square size 18” (46cm)

Cushion cover c.1950s

Possibly worked from an iron-on transfer onto beige linen.

Floral design worked in satin stitch, stem, some buttonhole & cross stitch (to secure strands of thread). 

Multi coloured & uses stranded cotton, 3 strands.

Size 17.5” width x 18.75” length (44cm x 47.5cm)

(The edges are now all fraying & likely it has been unpicked from its backing)

Table mats c.1960s

Possibly worked from a set of iron-on transfers onto green linen with machine stitched hems (likely completed by stitcher).

The design on 2 smaller mats is the same as on main larger one (from middle section). Jacobean style design predominantly in stem stitch & satin stitch with some buttonhole (for linear), chain stitching (linear & leaves) & cross-stitch used to secure lines of laid threads (partial flowers).

Multi colours using stranded cotton, 3 strands.

Larger mat size 7” width x 19.25” length (18cm x 48.5cm) - smaller mat size 4.75” width x 8.75” length (12cm x 22cm)

(Likely to be made for a dressing table)

Mat c.1960s

Possibly worked from a pre-transferred design on off-white linen with pre-finished hemstitched edge.

Simple floral design worked in stem & buttonhole stitch  using stranded cotton, 2 strands.

Edge has then been crochet into & finished with 3 rows treble scallops to resemble lace.

Size 4.75” width x 12.5” length (12cm x 32cm)

(Likely a dressing table mat)

Runner c.1960s

 

Runner (likely for a side table or sideboard), possibly worked from a set of iron-on transfers onto green linen.

Jacobean style design in stem stitch, satin stitch, buttonhole (for linear) & chain stitch with some cross-stitch used to secure lines of laid threads (partial flowers).

Uses stranded cotton, 3 strands. Machine stitched hems.

Size 8.75” width x 34” length (22cm x 86cm)

Tray cloth c.1960s

Worked from a pre-transferred design on beige linen (transfer still evident).

Floral design worked in chain 'Lazy Daisy' stitches & using stranded cotton, 3 strands.

The hem edges had been pre-stitched.

Size 13.5” width x 19.5” length(34cm x 50cm) 

Tambour bed throw c.1970s

Handworked cotton double bed throw in tambour work.

Made in panels & hand stitched in large green herringbone style stitches (image at left) 

Hand towel c.1960s

Possibly worked from an iron-on transfer onto a cotton huck-a-back towel.

Floral design worked in straight, stem & buttonhole stitch (for main flower).

3 colours using stranded cotton – 3 strands.

Size 14.5” width x 19.75” length (37cm x 50cm)

Chair back c.1950

Possibly worked from an iron-on transfer onto beige linen. Jacobean style design in stem stitch, satin stitch, buttonhole (for linear) & chain stitch with some cross-stitch used to secure lines of laid threads (partial flowers). Use stranded cotton, 3 strands. Hand stitched hems. Size 16” width x 17.25” length (41cm x 44cm)

(Currently all edges hand stitched but may have been initially made for a cushion side)

Polish dancewear c.2010

This was one of a students' work - stitched for dancewear. If you want to see more of it, then click here - she has perfected an individual method of transferring the design as she works on velvet. 

Temari ball c.2010

Herringbone stitched around a central band