![\"\"](\"http:\/\/www.janicefergusonsews.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2011\/01\/lacecrazycherub2.jpg\" "\\"Morelacecrazycherub2\\"")
<\/a>Each cherub is 3" tall.<\/p><\/div>\n
While putting away the remaining antique textiles that\u00c2\u00a0were pulled out for my lacy crazy patch class kits for Sewing at the Beach, I came across a few more that I would like to share with you.\u00c2\u00a0 I’ve never been to a museum showing of\u00c2\u00a0 antique laces and would love to find such an\u00c2\u00a0exhibit.\u00c2\u00a0\u00c2\u00a0But for now I certainly enjoy strolling through\u00c2\u00a0 the “gallery” of my own pieces.\u00c2\u00a0 I hope you will enjoy the stroll as well.\u00c2\u00a0<\/p>\n
These all missed the “cut” and are not included in any kits.\u00c2\u00a0 I just couldn’t bring myself to dice them up into small pieces.What I will do with each piece is undecided.\u00c2\u00a0 But I have big ideas for some of\u00c2\u00a0my forgotten treasures.Earlier in my sewing “career,” I remembered in great detail\u00c2\u00a0each\u00c2\u00a0garment I have \u00c2\u00a0made, each lace I have purchased, each fabric I have brought home and where they were.\u00c2\u00a0 But now I am either too old or my memory bank is too full to have this blessed recall.\u00c2\u00a0 So\u00c2\u00a0when I pull out long forgotten beauties, it is a pleasant surprise.\u00c2\u00a0 It’s also a surprise that I remembered where to find them!<\/p>\n
<\/a>3 1\/2" wide<\/p><\/div>\n
This pleasant surprise brought to mind one of my public school teaching assignments.\u00c2\u00a0\u00c2\u00a0Driving to\u00c2\u00a0my class of 7-12 year old mentally retarded children (I don’t know what the currently acceptable term is…challenged?\u00c2\u00a0 handicapable? Whatever.) I was always deep in thought, going over my lesson plans for my\u00c2\u00a0dear students.\u00c2\u00a0The route to school \u00c2\u00a0passed a commercial bakery whose glorious smell\u00c2\u00a0of freshly baking bread got my day off to a wonderful start.<\/p>\n
Several years later, my path crossed a similar bakery. It took a moment to recall just what it was and why it made me feel so happy.\u00c2\u00a0\u00c2\u00a0\u00c2\u00a0Of course, freshly baked bread would make anyone happy, anytime.\u00c2\u00a0 But this was a\u00c2\u00a0remembered happy.\u00c2\u00a0<\/p>\n
That’s how I felt when I saw these pieces again.\u00c2\u00a0 It took a minute to pull them to the front of my memory.\u00c2\u00a0 First came a flush of happiness, then recollection of the earlier joy of their acquisition.\u00c2\u00a0\u00c2\u00a0\u00c2\u00a0 I remember studying their composition and style and fiber content. And now, I have all new “lesson” plans for many of these old studies.<\/p>\n
Apparently, the cherub lace at the beginning of this post\u00c2\u00a0spent its useful life as the perimeter trim on a small tablecloth or centerpiece.\u00c2\u00a0 The sturdy lace is cut to a raw edge. The cherubs might have a second shot at usefulness on a baby blanket, if our daughter gives us another granddaughter someday.\u00c2\u00a0 Or it might\u00c2\u00a0a single cherub might appear\u00c2\u00a0in\u00c2\u00a0the center of a waterfall panel down the front of a little girl’s skirt, perhaps for granddaughter Laurel Cade.<\/p>\n
From the base of two leaves to the tip of the third is about 2".<\/p><\/div>\n
\u00c2\u00a0<\/p>\n
\u00c2\u00a0The copper colored remnant of a lady’s blouse is awaiting inspiration.\u00c2\u00a0 Being rather fragile, it will necessarily be applied to some gently used item, such as a boudoir pillow.\u00c2\u00a0 I’ve always been drawn to what I call “shrimp” pink, but in a softer coral hue.\u00c2\u00a0\u00c2\u00a0It likely would fit in nicely in the\u00c2\u00a0little sitting room that is part of our guest room suite which is painted ivory and furnished with a couch covered in this color.\u00c2\u00a0 Of course, since I often catch Rastus, our yellow lab, sleeping on that couch, I would have to put the pillow out only when guests are expected.\u00c2\u00a0 Or I could keep Rastus off the couch!\u00c2\u00a0 But he is sooo comfortable there.<\/p>\n
\u00c2\u00a0<\/p>\n
3" wide<\/p><\/div>\n
There is a short length of the\u00c2\u00a03″ ecru edge with wide scalloped edge.\u00c2\u00a0\u00c2\u00a0 It is an excellent example of the variety of “ground”–background and fill\u00c2\u00a0patterns–that antique laces incorporated.\u00c2\u00a0 Aside from that more common feature of the laces of yesteryear,\u00c2\u00a0this pattern\u00c2\u00a0also incorporates a cordonnet cord outline of the leaves and\u00c2\u00a0other details, much like the ever- popular Chantilly lace used on so many bridal gowns. The 3 1\/2″ piece is yet another example of the same intricacy and detail.<\/p>\n
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My plan for the white embroidered\u00c2\u00a0sleeve cuff\/\u00c2\u00a0ruffle is to release it\u00c2\u00a0from the binding.\u00c2\u00a0 It would make an exquisite yoke overlay.\u00c2\u00a0 My estimate is that there is enough to do both front and back yokes on a baby dress.\u00c2\u00a0The embroidery has such dimension.\u00c2\u00a0 The heavily padded satin stitch is worked in such fine thread that I can’t imagine how many layers were required to achieve the elevation of the design.\u00c2\u00a0 The dainty dots are almost like tiny beads.\u00c2\u00a0 Even the buttonhole stitches on the cutwork edge are fine, though this thread is heavier than that of the embroidery.\u00c2\u00a0\u00c2\u00a0 The skill of this embroideress was commendable.<\/p>\n
\u00c2\u00a0<\/p>\n
<\/a>6 x 8"<\/p><\/div>\n
It was only after pressing the little doily that I realized (or remembered) that the pattern has little apples.\u00c2\u00a0 How sweet is that?\u00c2\u00a0 This, too, will go in the guest suite sitting room.\u00c2\u00a0\u00c2\u00a0I have a\u00c2\u00a0 small stained glass lamp that will fit perfectly, with a footprint that is small enough to show the doily to good advantage.\u00c2\u00a0 This is one vintage piece that can still serve its original purpose.<\/p>\n
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Re-purposing\u00c2\u00a0the others\u00c2\u00a0for crazy patch quilting kits or baby blankets or pillows or whatever just makes good sense.\u00c2\u00a0\u00c2\u00a0 I am loathe to cut up an intact, unstained piece that can still be useful.\u00c2\u00a0 But rescuing these others is very satisfying.\u00c2\u00a0\u00c2\u00a0\u00c2\u00a0I am a true recycler at heart.<\/p>\n
Do you have any special textiles that you love?\u00c2\u00a0 Shirley wrote that she can almost never cut into her antique laces.\u00c2\u00a0 Judy wants more vintage textiles and seems willing to cut—cautiously.\u00c2\u00a0 What about you?<\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"
\u00c2\u00a0 While putting away the remaining antique textiles that\u00c2\u00a0were pulled out for my lacy crazy patch class kits for Sewing at the Beach, I came across a few more that I would like to share with you.\u00c2\u00a0 I’ve never been … Continue reading