Chicken Scratch Tablecloth
This is another of the pieces my Dear Friend dug out of her linen press for me the other day, so that I could photograph and write about it.
This friend married late in life, and went from the city to a farm. Her friend in South Australia, who made this when she was in her nineties, about ten years ago, made her a number of pieces on gingham, as she believed that was the sort of home she would have on a farm.
This piece interests me for a number of reasons. It has a heavy, encrusted look. It has those daisies that haven't been appearing in books, and I had so far only found on one apron (although Gina found a piece the other day with them). The daisies have been used in this case to form a lattice.
And the circles have been used to emphasis the dark blocks, not the light ones.
And I like the rick-rack edge - it has been handsewn using herringbone stitch.
posted by Linda at 11:02 am
6 Comments:
Hi Chloe, wanted to tell you how much I enjoy reading your blog each day, and love seeing what you are doing with your stitching.
I'm working on my first piece of chicken scratch ever. I have embroidered, etc. over the years, but never tried the chicken scratch, even tho I was "around" back when it was coming into being. Yes, I'm that old..LOL.
I found a Paragon kit at a thrift store of a snowflake pillow(muslin). And since all the thread(candwicking) was there I purchased it for just over a dollar. The muslin is stamped with the Paragon name and 1983. The tread still seems strong and useable, so I have begun.
I did have to read and re-read the directions to understand what to do.
I loved seeing how you did the heart on denim. I probably will never use waste canvas, but still loved seeing the finished heart.
I noticed that you do the "X" forming stitches first and the + stitches over them. I like that sooooo much. My directions have me do the + first, and when I put the X over it seems to me that it sticks up too much. Seems like it should be more anchored.
I have learned so much just reading what you write..thank you. Wonderful find, your vintage hankerchiefs. I have a few from over the years. I love vintage linens and have a fairly nice collection. I'll pop over to Flickr and see you things soon.
Interesting that you should pick up on teh Xs being first - I'm not sure what the directions give, but the examples I have in real life are worked that way. And sometimes I do the "square" cross that is last just that tiny bit smaller.
Looking forward to seeing yours when you have worked it.
That tablecloth, Wow, Wow and WOW!Thankyou for posting.
Oh Linda, that is just sensational...can you just imagine how long it would have taken to do something that size?
Linda, there are those daisies again! Just saw some over at Gina's blog too!
I have to give those daisies a try. Oh why am I not done with my Christmas gifts yet?!!!
This is a beautiful tablecloth. The rick/rack border is interesting too.
Do you have any other patterns for chicken scratch tablecloths? I am looking for others. Thanks, Floclo
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