One of the most satisfying things about this long stay-home time has been that I've picked up hand-stitching again. With all the Dropcloth Samplers, and Stitch Club, I've been wondering what could/should be next. And then Blair/wisecraft announced this....
At first I didn't know what I was seeing. But after reading Blair's post I was seriously mulling over if this just might be it. I didn't even know that this kind of stitching was called Chicken Scratch Embroidery (AKA Snowflake Embroidery) but it looked vaguely familiar. And it led me to the hooks in the laundry room where I keep my aprons, and lo and behold, look what I found!
That pretty much settled it. This vintage apron was stitched by my husband's paternal grandmother, Caroline, for his mother, Dorothy. I'm pretty sure it was handed down to us after Dorothy passed away. At any rate, I knew at once that I wanted to experience that kind of stittching for myself. So yes, I signed up! And if you are even vaguely interested, go take a look, because you can sign-up at a nice discount until December 17.
So stay tuned! It'll be late January before I actually get to stitching, but I'm looking forward to it!
Oh wow, I look forward to seeing this next adventure in handwork, and I love that you have such a beautiful heirloom example.
ReplyDeletewell that's going to be fun! I loved doing chicken scratch in my much younger days! and what a special treasure that apron is
ReplyDeleteVery lovely! Some of my 'embroidery' friends do chicken scratch now and then.
ReplyDeleteI remember seeing it here and there growing up mostly decorating kitchens, maybe on pillow cases etc.
It's also a Scandinavian stitching tradition, in fact a lot of cultures share that type of stitching putting their own spin on it of course.
I didn't know this was called chicken scratch either, till I made an applique block for one of my quilts that included this. I'm sure my mom had many items in the home with this type of embroidery, but called it differently. Love that you have such a heirloom at home to treasure. Looking forward to seeing your stitching in the new year.
ReplyDeleteSeeing your heirloom apron reminded me of my first ever embroidery project at school, aged 7. Also a blue gingham apron with pink and navy cross stitches. Nowhere near as intricate as yours, of course. I think the teacher must have sewn it together, but I do remember stitching for gathering at the waist. I was seriously tempted to join this sew-along but I am resolved to work through my pile of quilt UFO's.
ReplyDeleteAh yes. This looks very familiar. I chicken-scratched a pastel-colored pillow top, among other things, many years ago. I have no idea what became of those things. Long gone. Probably donated to a thrift store. I hope you enjoy this exploration. No doubt, you will.
ReplyDeleteI had forgotten all about this type of embroidery. I remember my mom doing this on aprons. Thanks for the memory (sounds like a song!)
ReplyDeleteI have a strangely strong memory for clothes, and I remember a friend wearing a skirt and blouse with the chicken scratch embroidery. I'm 72, and she must have had this in maybe 1964--a very long time ago. I can't wait to see more of your blocks. What a unique quilt this is going to be!
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