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)

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.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)

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)

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)

Tablecloth c.1940

Linen tablecloth, uncut c.1940

All embroidery completed but outer edge unfinished - perhaps WWII stopped its completion!

Cushion c.1940

Possibly worked from an iron-on transfer on black satin.

Worked in straight & stem stitches using stranded cotton.