Forget me not - Heirloom textiles

Forget me not

I have another passion other than God, dishes and family. Textiles. Old, new, pristine, imperfect, it matters not, I love to care for them. If there is a monogram or tidbits of lace involved, so much the better.

Hand embroidered on linen by my mother in law.  Only four napkins and it appears to be a bridge cloth? I was able to remove all the stains from the piece with a 4 day soak in Oxyclean.

 

 Now really, hand crocheted, is there any other way? But such a darling pair of young lady's gloves. 

Is this a sleeping bonnet? It sure seems like it. Anyone know? 

A closeup of the bonnet. It's clean, just wrinkled. Were I to wash this with the condition it's in, I'd lay it on a piece of screening so that the total weight is supported in and out of the water. No rubbing together of the fibers during the wash, just gentle movement with my fingers. Dry flat. Iron with a puff iron. Click HERE for information on the egg shaped puff iron.

This absolutely darning children's dress belonged to one of sister's in law. The stitching is magnificent and all by hand. Did you keep any of your baby clothes? What are you doing with them?

Shadowwork embroidery and bullion roses. All done by hand. Delicate lace and entredeux. There is nothing better in life!

A few more dresses. This second.with Madeira work.

This piece is very old and the entredeux is done by hand. Entredeux is simply said, an insertion between two pieces of fabric. Most is now purchased as it's a bit tedious to make, but should you be interested in making your own click HERE. 

What a lovely camisole! The top of the piece has eyelets so that a ribbon can be inserted and the piece drawn closer to the body. The waist, well it's pretty tiny!

 

 Too big to be a hankie, only one so not napkins. Doily? Silk thread embroidery. To see this piece up close and personal will make you gasp! The silk threads have such a beautiful sheen, they are hard to surpass!

A beautiful linen dish towel, belonged to my husband's grandmother's grandmother. The only one living in that group is my husband and he's about to retire. So it's very, very old, and in beautiful condition. Love the heart shaped leaves on the vines!

This piece had my husband's grandmother's name on the slip. Did she do the embroidery, as it's quite exquisite? And why is there a piece of batting sewn into the now square envelope? Such mysteries.

Where I still teaching at Martha's School of Art Fashion, my class would be recreating this darling little overdress! This example is wool, but would look especially adorable in pique, a very fine corduroy or silk. 

I have no idea what this was as it folds out into a long piece. However only one half has the delicate antique lace attached. Perhaps a ring bearer's pillow? The lace needs to be removed from the backing (it's just hand tacked on) and soaked in some Oxyclean with very delicate care!

Lace runners and doilies no one wanted. Aren't I the lucky recipient? 

 

This is a laundry bag for the nursery. I can remember my mother washing baby items separate from the rest of the wash. (Or course I don't remember her washing mine! I had some siblings.) What beautiful stitching and so easy to make. This would make a lovely gift for a newborn!

I hope you enjoyed your trip through the Heirloom world. It's good to breathe the dust from old fibers. I found THIS wonderful file on line to help you take care of your heirlooms so that they may be enjoyed by several more generations!