Do you have needle work in your home? I found this floral crewel gem at the Capa Thrift Store for a mere $2. The bright, beautiful stitchery and humble framing caught my eye immediately.
It makes me sad when I see an abandoned piece of needle work at a thrift store. How could the recipient of such a gift give it up? Did something happen to the original owner? Are they prolific with needle and thread? Can they easily make another?
Crewel is not a counted embroidery like cross-stitch, but a type of “free embroidery” using wool yarn. The design is applied on the fabric then embroidered on the surface, giving the piece a three-dimensional effect.
We have two pieces of crewel on the walls of our little cottage. One is very precious to me because my Aunt Julie made it. It is a happy depiction of my favorite season- FALL. Plus, I’ve always dreamed of living on a little farm in the country.
The other is a picture of a mouse snuggled up in bed. It reads “Home Sweet Home.” I love stitched versions of that saying. I always wonder who made them, and if they really lived in a sweet, happy home.
WORTH: There are people who collect crewel pieces specifically. ETSY sellers have oodles of crewel ranging from $10 to $450. The larger, more intricate pieces are quite expensive.
HISTORY: This piece is dated 1973 and labeled with the initials S.B.
APPEAL: Needle work is priceless to me, no matter what method is used. I wish I had pieces from all of my female relatives.
Sewing, quilting, cross-stitching, crewel, and etc. all remind me of the wise advice given in 1 Thessalonians 4:11:
..make it your ambition to lead a quiet life and attend to your own business and work with your hands..
Check out another vintage item with this link:
https://lovemycottage.wpengine.com/corelle-livingware-old-town-blue-behind-the-vintage-item-6/
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