My summer vacation is over; I go back to work tomorrow. Yes, I am a teacher. Last week, I decided to take the time to make my mother's birthday present. Her birthday is in September. I made her birthday present from a wedding gift given to her by her mother that she never used. The wedding gift was a set of pillow cases and sheets.
They were still in the original box, undisturbed, neatly folded and pressed. My grandmother had done some of her beautiful cutwork on each of the pillow cases.
When she first gave them to me, I asked why she never used them. She looked sad, and replied, "I don't know". It has made me think about the presents I have received and never used or enjoyed because I was afraid of ruining, breaking, or loosing them. Maybe it is time to get them out and take my chances and appreciate them more. Well, I had put the precious box of sheets and pillowcases away and dismissed them from my mind. When I suddenly got one of those "brilliant ideas" what to make my mother for her birthday this year, I forgot where I stored the box. I had to search for a couple of hours to find it. My mother loves dolls, so I decided to make a pillowcase doll for her. Then I decided to make her two. I searched the Internet and found a pattern. After buying the pattern, I realized I could have made one myself, but it made things easier having the pattern.
The cotton is of such high quality that the dresses have a very crisp look to them. I decided to add machine embroidery to the bodice of each dress and to the back of each bonnet. Also, I edged the bonnet brim, bodice and sleeves with tatting.
Hopefully, my mother will approve what I decided to do with the pillowcases. If I get the opportunity, I would like to make a christening dress with the top sheet of this set. The hem on the sheet also is decorated with scalloped edging and I really do like the material. I would like use one of my grandmother's patterns and do machine cutwork on the front of the dress; something I haven't done for years. Fortunately, I have a couple of my grandmothers original cut work patterns that she drew years ago.
Here is a view from the Needles Highway in the Black Hills, South Dakota. Ten years ago, Mom and I went on a "Little House Trip". Laura Ingalls Wilder was a children's book author who wrote stories about her family and growing up during the pioneering days. We traveled the path that Laura Ingalls Wilder and her family took in their pioneering days. We were gone for about six weeks meeting people along the way on the same mission. My husband even called during our travels and asked if we were ever going to come home. It was a fun summer and to this day, I have many fond memories of that adventure. Best of all, my mother and I came back talking to each other, and best of friends.
On one pillowcase she put the initial D for my mother and
on the other one a Ch for my father.
When she first gave them to me, I asked why she never used them. She looked sad, and replied, "I don't know". It has made me think about the presents I have received and never used or enjoyed because I was afraid of ruining, breaking, or loosing them. Maybe it is time to get them out and take my chances and appreciate them more. Well, I had put the precious box of sheets and pillowcases away and dismissed them from my mind. When I suddenly got one of those "brilliant ideas" what to make my mother for her birthday this year, I forgot where I stored the box. I had to search for a couple of hours to find it. My mother loves dolls, so I decided to make a pillowcase doll for her. Then I decided to make her two. I searched the Internet and found a pattern. After buying the pattern, I realized I could have made one myself, but it made things easier having the pattern.
As you can see her handwork is absolutely gorgeous. The stitches are tiny and uniform. Imagine doing all that work by hand!
I have other pieces she did and they are just as beautiful, but I bet they were not made with as much love as these were.
It was fun making the dresses, knowing that my grandmother had also contributed her fine handsewing on the fabric.
Hopefully, my mother will approve what I decided to do with the pillowcases. If I get the opportunity, I would like to make a christening dress with the top sheet of this set. The hem on the sheet also is decorated with scalloped edging and I really do like the material. I would like use one of my grandmother's patterns and do machine cutwork on the front of the dress; something I haven't done for years. Fortunately, I have a couple of my grandmothers original cut work patterns that she drew years ago.
I especially like the butterflies pattern. The straight lines indicate the bars in the cutwork.
Here is a view from the Needles Highway in the Black Hills, South Dakota. Ten years ago, Mom and I went on a "Little House Trip". Laura Ingalls Wilder was a children's book author who wrote stories about her family and growing up during the pioneering days. We traveled the path that Laura Ingalls Wilder and her family took in their pioneering days. We were gone for about six weeks meeting people along the way on the same mission. My husband even called during our travels and asked if we were ever going to come home. It was a fun summer and to this day, I have many fond memories of that adventure. Best of all, my mother and I came back talking to each other, and best of friends.
No comments:
Post a Comment