Vintage Embroidery Freebies for National Embroidery Month

Here are a few vintage embroidery designs that would look great on kitchen towels, quilt blocks, etc. Enjoy!

Throwback Tuesday: Redwork

Freebies: Lamb and Strawberries

By now, in one way or another, our lives have been altered by 

Covid-19. We homeschool so in that area we are doing fine. 

My volunteer work needed to be modified, and that is what we are still working on. May not be able to do as much time as I was planning, but I'm not giving up. My stitching projects are on hold until I'm able to at least accomplish a personally satisfactory time for the volunteer work. In the meantime will leave you with these vintage hand embroidery designs that perhaps I've previously shared... but they are springy so here they are for your enjoyment.

Perhaps with more time at home, doing our part to help slow down and bring down that curve, one of you might be able to stitch one or both! Surely it'll turn out lovely!

Tea for Two: Vintage Embroidery Freebie

This one is another one in my "Must Stitch" list. Can't wait for things to slow down around here to continue working on my embroidery! Have fun stitching these tea (or coffee if you must) drinking kitties!

Vintage Aunt Martha's Embroidery Transfer Designs

Warm thoughts of all these previous hand embroideries are resurfacing.

Aunt Martha's embroidery transfers are the best! Have not work on any of my in progress AM's designs in some time. Cross stitching took over for awhile. 
For the past couple of days, a sudden mass of cold air have cause temperatures to drop dramatically around here. That sudden weather change must have brought the cozy warm memories of working on these mostly vintage designs to mind (the rooster is not a vintage design, but part of a Stitcher's Revolutions pattern also by the makers of AM's... the Colonial Pattern Inc.). 

Some of these were hand embroidered onto kitchen towels / tea towels / dish towels . Some on my personal lap quilt project.
May have to bring that one out and keep working on it!
Until next time!

Non-affiliated notes:
All these patterns are from various designs found at
Colonial Patterns Inc. Their website is:
colonialpatterns.com .

New and Vintage Embroidery Transfer / Patterns Haul

Things didn't turn out as I was expecting these past few days... kids appointments were put on hold do to myself having to do an unexpected medical visit. A couple test pending. With all that anxiety, besides prayers, I did some retail therapy. One of my purchases was from Wings of the Morning on Etsy. Nothing better than super cute vintage embroidery transfers that evoke nostalgia and sweet memories of long ago. I had great customer service from Amy! Perhaps you may want to go check her shop out, there are still a few treasures to be found!

She even included this lovely gift! I tell you, around here it is so hard to find vintage embroidery transfers. So I'm grateful to have these on my stash now! My mom was the one who introduced me to embroidery (as I posted on a previous blog entry), vintage transfers remind me of her. Hand embroidery is therapeutic in so many ways for me!

So I will go thru the box little by little to distract myself while awaiting my upcoming tests, and of course take care of my kids appointments. Maybe I can find a few vintage designs I could share here. 

Kathy Schmitz released this pattern today! It is a PDF available in her Etsy shop, and her website. It'll be used for a stitch-along starting March 16th, not sure if I'm going to be able to wait to start mine, LOL. I'll be transferring it soon and have it ready... will try to wait.

Also added this book to my stash, a new book from Annela Hoey. Solely iron on transfers from designs on her previous books and a few new ones as well, there are a couple of design elements that are repeated a few times (for example a design of a small pair of embroidery scissors, the same pair of scissors appears in 3 designs). Not a biggie.
This cute birdie was a pattern Aneela use to sell in her shop (not sure now). I always liked it and wanted to stitch it, but I do not use PayPal... 3 times my info was compromised, very bitter experiences. Since canceling my account I've never gone back, not even use the feature of not needing an account to buy. Thereby, so glad to have found that this cutie was part of the patterns in this book purchased from Amazon. Didn't waste time and stitched it right away! Will post a close up later detailing the stitches used.

Here is a 'just for fun shot', organizing work-in-progress projects and getting ready to start new ones... like the cutie birdie that is now all done ;-). I'll expound a bit more on this on a future post.
So, tell me... do you sometimes do retail therapy? ;-)
Have a nice weekend! Until next time!

Back On The Saddle... Sort Of

While listening to upbuilding material I felt the desire to pick back up one of my projects that's been on stand by for some time.
Start of it posted here, and these are the designs I've stitched on it so far:

(above: out of print vintage, Puppy Fashion Show no.3262)

(above: Busy Bee no.3681 and below: Dottie the Duck no.3400... both still in print)

So those three designs are the ones already embroidered on my quilt top... by the way, I really love the pre-printed blocks on this quilt top. Thinking of using those pre-printed dotted lines as hand quilting pattern guide once the quilt top is done, most likely using perle cotton no. 8 or 5. Here is a link and picture of it in case some of you may want to check it out (non-affiliated link).  

AUNT MARTHA'S QUILTING FABRIC - RETRO FLOWER PRINT

I'm also trying to keep my selection of designs to be embroidered from my Aunt Martha's transfer collection. Easy going, no deadline, no stress stitching.

This last design is a vintage one, re-printed and found in the Aunt Martha's Vault section of their website (patterns in that section come without the envelope).

(above: Donny the Donkey no.3876)

I think this cute donkey is mesmerized by the singing of his tiny friend! My plan is to embroider every other block, and then appliqué squares of fabric from my stash on the rest of the blocks. I'll end up with a cheery lap top that will bring to mind fond memories.

Until later! Have a nice weekend!

Fall Towels Down

Briefly stopping by to update the blog before the end of this year. 
Haven't touch needle and thread since my previous post. Its been quite challenging these past few weeks, and I haven't felt motivated for any type of crafting. So thankful for the comfort & hope (Acts 24:15; Psalm 37:29,34; Revelation 21:3,4) from the Scriptures and the concern & love from family and friends that keep me going thru trialsome times!

Well, back to today's post... these were the Fall towels I had on display in the kitchen. Two of the few acquired as housewarming presents when we moved to our new home.
We do not celebrate traditional/popular holidays in our household. Our decorations are seasonal or year round, so these ones were out throughout autumn. 

I think the embroideries and colors in both of these towels match perfectly the fall months.

Today these were put away, and out came the ones that will be displayed throughout winter. Will post those later on.
Hoping everyone is doing well, keeping cozy and warm (as we are trying.. so cold here!), or cool and hydrated (for those of you in the hot months or warm weather)! I also hope that at some point during this winter my desire for needlework will return.
Until next time!

Baking Poodle (2nd Towel Update)

Guess what? Yes! Finally was able to do a bit of stitching!
The circumstances weren't the best, but by doing some embroidery I ended up turning a lemon into lemonade ;-). Below is the progress made so far. I modified the original pattern to fit my needs.

An injured lower back meant down time, so out my stitching came! Spent a couple of days housebound treating it.... it was so painful to walk, bend, reach, trying to sit and get up, etc. 
Much better now, thankfully! With lots of TLC, alternating between: heat pad, muscle ointment, medication, massage, and gentle movements. I'm almost back to normal! Here are a few other pictures of the progress (in regression).

Above, stitching at night with the help of clip-on-light. I was so close to be done that didn't want to stop, but my back was telling me it was enough. I'm afraid it may not be completed soon now that I'm better... you know, trying to catch up with everything that couldn't be done with an injured back. So close to be done!

At the time I had a taste for a piece of Lemon Poppy Seed cake with raspberries for garnish.. yummy!  If I bake it I'll probably eat half of it in a day or two (embarrassingly true). I never used to like the lemon homemade icing that I made, until I found a recipe online that called for butter in addition to the regular ingredients, and heating it in the microwave for (30 seconds? can't recall at this moment). It tastes great! No after taste of powder sugar... which I totally dislike. 

Stitching these french knots I hold the hoop upside down in order to be closer to that area for ease of stitching. I certainly do not bake wearing a pearl necklace ;-)... but it does gives the look of glamorous homemaking ... LOL. When seeing printed vintage advertising, it makes me wonder if ladies in the 40's did wear make up and high heels while doing chores. Do you know? 
Well, I let you go now ;-). Hoping next week will be a great one for all of you! Oh! Just in case you will like to stitch this Baking Poodle, I'm leaving it here for you ;-). Enjoy!!!

Throwback: Vintage Patterns

Wasn't able to take pictures of the new decorative towels made with vintage embroidery, neither was able to squeeze time for stitching. This is why I'm posting a little throwback to some vintage patterns that although intended for pillowcases, they will look lovely on kitchen towels as well. 

Things have been hectic with the move and all that it entails, plus I've been having a few rough days.
Thankfully every time we brought boxes we emptied them practically right away, so not that many left. Our new place is smaller and with an open concept, so it is taking a bit to figure out how to arrange certain things. I'm loving not having to go up and down stairs! My knee joints get so stiff that I look like a robot with no knee joints coming down our previous home's stairs.

Maybe by next Sunday I'll be able to take some pictures of the towels and post them, hopefully. In the meantime I leave you with these pictures, taken last year, of some of the vintage Vogart embroidery transfers from my collection. 
Hoping y'all are doing well!
Till next time!

The 2nd Towel and Chat

Here is a peek at the 2nd towel I started. Over a week since I started it, and have not been able to continue working on it. 

So much to do when moving, no time for stitching. When I'm not packing/moving/arranging/etc., I'm having to take it easy because of not feeling well.

The area where I'll have my new crafting space will not be completed for some time, so most crafty things will stay in boxes. Some I'll be sneaking into my kids' closets ;-), like my collection of iron on transfers and my craft books, no way I'll let those sit in the garage.

No need for digging out boxes, my travel bag is full of embroidery projects to keep me busy after we are settled in. Hopefully soon! 

The weather is a bit unstable, which triggers FMS flares and arthrithis. Yes, that last one ended up showing in some of my fingers' joints, and most likely is on my knees and hips. I knew something else besides fibromyalgia has been going on inside my body, because of how terribly bad the aching can get. Medication that will normally help, does nothing for the pain. Now waiting to test for which kind of arthritis. The RA factor came back negative, a bit of a relief... although I don't know if down the line things could change. Both, my mother, and oldest sister have RA. 

Well, enough with that :-). I still have lots of things to be thankful for, so many things I can still do! My faith, family, friends, voluntary work, beautiful sunsets, baking, etc.,... and of course, I can still hold a needle in my hand ;-)!

Next time will try to post about some of the other kitchen towels from the 2nd order. 

May y'all be well! 

Enjoy the week ahead! 

Till later! 

A Housewarming Gift (Part 1/ Picture Heavy)

In my quest to have a year round supply of hand embroidered towels to display and to use on my new kitchen, the second towel is already hooped. However the ones I'm stitching will get use, so the search for decorative kitchen towels took place.

These towels are made by recycling and upcycling vintage hand embroidered linens.... they are so lovely! Showed my husband, and he gave me green light! Ordered 4 first to be able to see them up close, fell in love, 2nd order was place (arriving today). Since they are currently on sale (were 50% now 30% off), and the fact that the shop owner mentioned in one of our convos that this kind of towel might not be offered in the future, what is a girl to do than stock up on towels. 

Today I will post the four I received on the first order. Posting, not to show off a purchase, but to share the beautiful hand embroidery work of needleworkers of past generations! Also, if some of you were looking for a deal on towels then perhaps this source might prove helpful. Did you noticed the birdies beaks? She/He that stitched these birds payed attention to detail by outlining the beaks in dark thread and filling in with yellow, gorgeous effect!

These close ups let the details pop. Love me some hand embroidered eye candy! I find joy in studying the work of needleworkers of previous generations. Do you? In this Love towel, the lazy daisy stitches are gorgeous and so uniformed. The word Love was beautifully outlined in stem stitch and then lightly filled in with straight stitches in a complimenting shade. The french knots are tiny and well done. This needleworker was experienced, plus that simple crocheted lacy trim.... gorgeous! I will love to learn how to do delicate trims.

The Love towel also has a very small area worked on a different color thread,... she/he must have run out of green thread and "made do" with what she had on hand. Thrifty and resourceful indeed!

This orchid is lovely stitched as well! Love all the different shades used in the bloom, the neatly done stitches, and that dainty trim!

This towel is another example of lovely hand embroidery work! Do you see the centers of the brighter flowers... they are clustered with tiny french knots, so pretty! Plus the petals are all lazy daisy stitches, so many of them in varied lengths for a beautiful effect. I'm learning a lot from studying these vintage embroidered pieces.

Personally prefer to display towels with lovely hand work in my kitchen! It warms my heart, and makes the space cozier and homey... in my opinion.

They came beautiful packaged... so that is a plus, great for gifting.

Well, that's it for now. Later I'll show you the ones that are arriving today, and the ones I'll be stitching for use.

Hope you have a great week! Ours will be very busy.

Till later!

PS: Non-affiliated Link:

Two Girls Laughing... decorative towel shop on Etsy.

First Housewarming Tea Towel Done!

Impromptu tea towel project, yielded fast results ;-).
Here is my first housewarming tea towel for my new kitchen stitched by me (with a bit of help!).

The pattern used is an Aunt Martha's vintage one,
called "Dishes and Flowers"- no.3200.
It all started few days ago, when my younger child asked if she could stitched a towel for me (her older sibling is working on one).
I found this pattern which is very beginner friendly, and thought 
it was perfect for my little one to give it a go.

Today she asked if she could start her towel. After a bit of volunteer work from home, and a couple of house chores, I needed to put my feet up for a bit, but not before getting the pattern ironed on to the towel, and hooping it. She was very into it, for a few minutes. Then it was nap time, she asked if I could finish stitching the teapot while she napped, and she will do the flowers once nap time was over. I agreed.

Above she is making the first few stitches.
Needless to say... I ended up finishing it. Such an easy going pattern! By the time nap time was over, I was almost done :-). Little one was looking forward to playing with her sister, she didn't mind much that I did the flowers ;-).
Sidenote... kind of nice that even though this is a vintage pattern it still ironed nicely. It took a bit longer than the newer ones I have with black ink, but still gave a very nice transfer.

Haven't touch the actual kitchen towels I have ready to begin embroidering. This was a very easy design, which served as the motivation to keep stitching, knowing that I was going to see it finished today. Simple lines, a few colors. Now I want to stitch the other designs in this transfer! I've been trying not to think much on a recent Dr. visit... this project was a much needed therapy.

Very interesting, the red ink on this vintage pattern transfers very similar as the red transfer pencil sold by Colonial Patterns. 
Do you use your vintage patterns? Do you cut your vintage patterns? There was a time I used to be against cutting them, not anymore. Hand embroidery brings joy to me, mainly the stitching,... a bit less fun when trying to preserve a pattern intact. Don't get me wrong. I totally like collecting patterns, and keeping them in good condition, but do not mind any longer cutting into them.  Totally respect your opinion if you differ ;-).
Hoping to be back next week with more needlework updates!
Have a nice Sunday and week ahead!