Saturday, October 28, 2017

Embroidered Pillowcases

   Awhile ago I found this image on Pinterest. I just loved how the letters in "dream" where created with flowers. I also really liked the colors and the addition of pink crocheted trim. I decided to search for a similar pattern and found the exact same design here! I just knew that my little girl would love to rest her head on such a pretty pillowcase.

In the evenings I would spend time embroidering this set of pillowcases, and Jemimah would often watch me working and tell me how pretty they were. Adam also took notice, and commented on how much fun it looked. He asked if it was like coloring in a coloring book and I agreed it was a little like that. : )
 Growing up I remember seeing pillowcases that my great-great grandma from Germany had embroidered and crocheted. I thought they were so pretty and wanted to learn to make something like that myself.
The pillowcase set above is a set I made as a teenager. When the set was completed I tucked them away in my hope chest (which can be seen in this picture).
 Currently they are being used decoratively on our bed. They look so lovely and old-fashioned.
This was also my first attempt at adding crocheted edging to a pillowcase. Here is a link to a post from last year about creating your own crochet edged pillowcase!
 And to close, I thought I would share some pictures of my very first embroidery project!

I will never forget the warm summer day I learned to embroider. I was nine, and was feeling a little bored that day, so I decided to tinker with some old sewing thread and scrap fabric. Much to my mom's surprise I had satin stitched a little flower on the fabric. Mom was so pleased she took my sisters and I to the store where she purchased two sets of pillowcases to be embroidered, a box of embroidery thread, along with needles and hoops.

I was a little overwhelmed, but tried to work on the stamped design. However, within the next few days we went to visit my great grandma and she taught me the basics of embroidery: how to separate my thread, make a French knot, etc.
Grandma ended up having as much fun teaching me as I had learning! She embroidered this pillowcase while I embroidered mine.
 I was so proud of my finished pillowcase! My great grandma was too. For my tenth birthday she gave me two embroidery kits. I am so grateful to have such sweet memories of sitting beside my great grandma learning to embroider with both of us working on our matching pillowcases. I look forward to someday soon passing along this gift to my own little Jemimah. : )

15 comments:

  1. These are all so pretty! You do beautiful work, Sarah. ♡

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  2. My dear Sarah, your pillowcases are truly works of art! Oh, how beautiful they are. Indeed, you do lovely work, my friend.

    Hugs to you!

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  3. So beautiful!
    How would you recommend a 48 year old woman to start?
    I would just love to be able to do this.
    Thank you
    God bless
    Mrs.O

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    1. Thank you, Mrs.O! The "Sweet Dreams" pillowcase set was a fairly easy pattern to follow. The design is printed on the fabric and then I stitched over it. The set included instructions on how to create the stitches.

      I would also highly recommend visiting Clementine Patterns here: https://www.etsy.com/shop/ClementinePatterns/items These two samplers are for beginners: https://www.etsy.com/listing/101985062/sing-to-the-lord-beginner-sampler-100?ref=shop_home_active_3 and https://www.etsy.com/listing/212168803/my-redeemer-beginner-sampler-embroidery?ref=shop_home_active_20 . They provide different links and resources to learn how to create the different stitches.

      If you have any questions please let me know! : ) Embroidery is truly an enjoyable hobby and pretty simple once you get started.

      -Sarah

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  4. They are so very beautiful Sarah! ....and the love in the company and in the sharing make them the most beautiful in all the whole wide world :)

    tia

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  5. How lovely to see traditional crafts being used so prettily.

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  6. Oh! Thank you for the thoughtful response! I will head over there and look at those. Maybe a Christmas present for my girls we can work on through deep winter.
    God bless
    Mrs.O

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  7. Your embroidery is absolutely beautiful! I love those sweet additions to things. How very wonderful to have the memory of your grandmother teaching you. That is so special!

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  8. Beautiful pillow cases! I enjoyed reading your the story of your first embroidery project. It is nice to see that you are still getting to use these pieces after all this time. :)

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  9. Sarah, how exquisitely lovely and beautiful your embroidery work is! That "dreams" font made of flowers is indeed so creative and sweet- I can see why you loved it. What a precious heirloom for sweet Jemimah and what a blessing for her to get to someday learn from her talented mama and pass on such a wonderful skill.
    So delightful to get to see your beautiful earlier handiwork, as well, and your first project. I also enjoyed so much hearing of your sweet memories of learning and starting to embroider with your mom and great Grandma.

    Hope you are enjoying the season and having a most blessed week!
    Hugs to you,
    Jazzmin ♥

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  10. I embroidered a lot as a child, and also cross-stitched, something I haven't done in years. I enjoyed hearing about your memories of stitching alongside your grandma, and your work looked just as amazing as hers did! You are a very talented lady, and you have made some gorgeous pillow cases, and your little girl will love putting her head to rest on them :)

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  11. Oh my! These are lovely! My girls are learning embroidery. Wow, your pillowcases are stunning. I have collected a few from thrift stores with delicate stitching ... I love the crocheted edging, as well! Beautiful work, indeed.

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  12. So nostalgic description! Your first attempt worked out beautifully. You have an interesting blog.Cross stitch is becoming my new interest!

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