Friday Finish and a Shout Out to the Antique Pattern Library

/ Friday 23 October 2009 /

Storks, originally uploaded by Shadrach Meshach & Abednego.
It's quite a modest finish this time. I'm sharing this little bit of stitchery. It's a small piece that I'm going to turn into a needlebook/housewife, which is something I desperately need. The skein of embroidery floss is there to show scale. I got the pattern from an undated Moderne Stickvorlagen pattern available for download at the Antique Pattern Library.  If you don't know it, go check it out.  It's an amazing resource for embroidery, beading, lacemaking, cross-stitch, knitting, crochet, and other, more arcane, needlework.  It contains scanned copies of original patterns and charts from the 1800s and later.  The quality varies, but most are usable.  Personally, I'm most in love with the amazing art deco charts, but I also liked delving into the 1889 book from Butterick Publishing about using crepe and tissue paper, and the 1945 knitting patterns from the American Red Cross on making important garments for refugees and for wounded soldiers, such as the cap for a bandaged head, and the walking cast toe sock.  Awesome!  And even more awesome: FREE.  Major kudos to those women from the APL who scanned and in many cases redrew damaged charts so that they could be used.

Don't forget to go look at the other Friday Sew-n-Tellers - you can find them at Amy's.  You'll see some beautiful things!

And if you're in the market for a giveaway, go take a gander at True Up; she's giving away some gorgeous Kiyohara prints.  I'm drooling, but firmly expect my "never win" force field to protect me yet again!

12 comments:

Anonymous on: 23 October 2009 at 11:30 said...

Hello Lesly,

Thank you for visiting me and leaving the kind comment. That way I was able to visit you back and make your acquaintance! :)

What lovely stitching -- what chart is that? I am interested to see the whole chart and see if it's something I would like to buy...

I have enjoyed my visit on your blog.

{ beth } on: 23 October 2009 at 11:31 said...

What beautiful stitching! Thanks for sharing the link....I'm going over to look at it right now!

{ Unknown } on: 23 October 2009 at 12:24 said...

I like the storks! I forgot about my cross-stitching! I'll post my new one sometime this week!

{ Beth } on: 23 October 2009 at 12:40 said...

Love your stork cross stitch - what a great pattern! I am also a cross stitcher, I will have to check out the link - Thanks for sharing :)

{ Heather } on: 23 October 2009 at 14:22 said...

What a beautiful little piece! I used to be a cross-stitch addict, but then the quilting bug bit and I haven't done any in years. Still have lots of unfinished ones that I suspect I'll pull out one day, though.

I will definitely check out the Antique Pattern Library. Sounds very cool! :o)

{ amylouwhosews } on: 23 October 2009 at 15:47 said...

so cute! I love the blue birds!

I was never good at finishing cross-stitch projects...

thanks for sharing!

{ Dee } on: 23 October 2009 at 16:20 said...

birds are a favorite of mine...and these are simply elegant...make sure you share the finished product with us! please!

I delve into the stack of old books at our library for inspiration and patterns too. thanks for the link!

happy, happy weekend!

{ Leslie } on: 23 October 2009 at 18:59 said...

i can not wait to go and check some of that out...it sounds like so much fun...this is a great finish. i love birds, so does my daughter. i know she would love this too.

{ sherri@lavenderfields } on: 24 October 2009 at 01:21 said...

Love the two quilts that you are working on. The fall colours are so beautiful! Also your stitching is so beautiful! Looks like you are going to be busy for awhile. Nice time of year to start up some new projects! Have a great week...Sherri : )

{ ktquilts } on: 24 October 2009 at 11:00 said...

Love them. I am on hiatus from cross stitching. Quilting and crochet only, or I never get anything finished!!!

Blessings,
KT

Anonymous on: 25 October 2009 at 23:06 said...

I love the blue birds. What a juicy tidbit of information, off to check it out.

Congrats on finishing your stitching.

{ Day before Michelle } on: 28 October 2009 at 02:13 said...

Oh Gorgeous!! I used to stitch constantly, I still do occasionally, but nowhere near what I use to do!

Thanks for the link to the Antique pattern library, it definitely bears checking out!

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