Stitching with Vintage Whites

Pocket Pincushion side 1
I've been stitching this week, using some of those old white linens that were too worn to mend and use as originally intended.  Using a pattern for an Armchair Sewing Caddy by Maureen Greeson, I pieced together the pockets using the old linens.  There weren't too many spots that needed seam embellishment as I tried to use the original edges as much as possible.  But where seam embellishment was needed, simple feather stitch variations did the trick!

Pocket Pincushion side 2
Each pocked ended up with a corner in need of something more, so a mother of pearl button was added. For the lining, I used some natural linen I've had for a while.  I love how it shows off the beautiful old white embroidery and lace!  The pincushion portion was stuffed with clean wool and the whole thing was bound with some vintage cotton bias tape I've had for ages.  It was just the right color of aged white!

Stitching in white
Here it is from the top.  When I started this, I thought I'd use it on the arm of my sofa, but I didn't take into account how wide the arms of the sofa are!  But it works just perfect on the arm of my cozy chair!  Might have to make another one for the sofa!  To the side you can see two other projects I've been stitching on this week.

Linen and Lace hearts
I started these little linen and lace hearts last year about this time.  They've been languishing in a box waiting to be finished.  Next I'll add some cord to them and they will become a small garland to hang from my old shelf!

Linen and Lace Pincushion
To go with all my white things, I've been wanting to make a linen and lace pincushion.  I love the size of the CD pincushions and knew that this old round piece of crochet would be perfect in all it's irregularity. It has a couple of small stains that will not come out, no matter what I tried, so I'll cover them with a small crocheted Irish rose in the next few days.  The tatted trim around the bottom edge came from a box of lace I picked up this summer.  I believe it had been tea dyed ~ it was an ugly brown.  First I washed it with non-chlorine bleach and hot water.  It helped, but didn't bring it down to the lightness that I knew was hiding underneath all that icky brown.  A tiny bit of bleach in hot water, a very brief soak, then lots of rinsing and at last a white vinegar rinse (to neutralize the bleach) finally took away all the brown and left the lace the perfect matching white to the old linen and lace!

Pocket Pincushion
Every now and then, a project comes along and simply feels "like home".  These stitching projects with old white linens and lace were just that way.  So comfortable and so "right" somehow.  They were a joy to work on and I'll definitely enjoy using each of these items!

Comments

Ane Scherrer said…
Beautiful and elegant, as always. Brazilian kisses...
Susan Elliott said…
I always feel so refreshed after visiting your blog. Your combination of raw linen and vintage whites is as inspired as it is beautiful. And those little hearts are just to die for...or to fall in love over...

Just absolutely *sigh*....lovely.
Leeanne said…
A feast for the eyes, so soft and pretty.
Mánya said…
Such beauty and elegance... Each and every piece is absolutely beautiful! Thank you for sharing.
Tünde said…
Wonderful and elegant, realy. Very nice.
Magdalena said…
I love your work. So beautiful done. Everyone are beautiful.
Wendy said…
Oh so, so beautiful! I love the over-arm caddy and the hearts are gorgeous. I'm particularly in love with the one with the lazy daisies on it.
Mosaic Magpie said…
I so enjoyed this post. The chair arm caddy is beautiful, the seam binding you had was the perfect touch. Lovely work.
Marty52 said…
Beautiful and so very you!
Suztats said…
Wonderful vintage whites....and I love the hearts!
Cathy said…
It's all just absolutely lovely! I love how you used the vintage linens. Gorgeous!

Cathy ♥
This is just gorgeous! Love the vintage and linen look!
Heide said…
Lisa - the caddy is fabulous! I'm always so impressed how you turn something that could be so easily discarded into something wonderful ... and useful.
Sherry said…
Lisa, these are all absolutely wonderful! I think you found the perfect way to use those particular pieces of linen and old laces. I love every piece! You always inspire me!
joannestitches said…
beautiful, love your blog
Tatkis said…
Such beautiful and romantic creations!

Hugs,
Tatyana
krishna said…
awesome awesome...
amalowany said…
I found an image on Pinterest of your sewing caddy and made one for myself from bits of crocheted bits from my grandmother. I loved the contrast of the lace on the darker fabric and did the same as well. I'm "sew" pleased with the results. Thanks for your posting.
Anonymous said…
Love arm chair caddy. Made one of those myself ages ago, larger though.

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