1872 Sampler

I found the pattern for this reproduction 1872 sampler in the September 2006 issue of "Cross-Stitch & Needlework" and just had to stitch it. I know that 1872 is well past the heyday of sampler making in America so found this piece a little intriguing. Interestingly, even as early as 1834, Mrs. L. Maria Child wrote in The Girl's Own Book that:

Indelible ink is now so much in use, that the general habit of marking samplers is almost done away: but like many other old-fashioned things, it is a very good thing. There are times in everybody's life when it is convenient to know how to mark the letters of the alphabet; good taste may be shown in it, as well as in other branches of needle-work; and, at all events, it is a safe and pretty employment for idle little fingers.

I love stitching these old samplers and this one was especially fun to work on. I initially thought I might get bored using just a single color of floss throughout but that didn't happen at all. The frame is actually one I already had but I think it looks like it was made to go with this piece. I love it when that happens!

Happy stitching!
Sandy

My Favorite China Head Doll

I would like to introduce you to my favorite china head doll, Mary Elizabeth. I purchased her about six years ago on eBay and she was the first antique doll that I ever bought. To date, she is my only china head to be dressed as a child. Along with her came a paper dated 1985 that reads:

This doll dates back to the Civil War period. She may have been owned by my Grandmother Bragdon (nee Mary Elizabeth Hodgkins) or my Grandmother Small (nee Mary Elizabeth Allen). She is in mint condition except for a small stain on the skirt.....This doll should be kept and passed down but always on display or in Safe Deposit box. Too valuable for children to play with...

While I feel very fortunate to have her in my little collection of antique dolls, a part of me feels sad that there was no one in her original family that wanted her or perhaps there was no one left to pass her down to. So, in honor of her first "Mama", I named her Mary Elizabeth.

Mary Elizabeth stands slightly less than nine inches tall so she is small for a china head yet her clothing is beautifully made. It is entirely hand sewn with perfect little stitches. Her petticoat and drawers are both hemmed with cotton lace...so sweet!


The stitches in her dress hem are nearly flawless and so tiny. I wish I knew who made the clothing...maybe a mother, grandmother or even an older sister. If only Mary Elizabeth could talk, oh what stories she could tell!

Sandy

Sampler Pinkeep

Here's another little sampler that I finished not too long ago. It is a pattern by Kathy Barrick of Barrick Samplers, i.e. Carriage House Samplings, called "My Love I Give Thee". I stuffed it with wool in the tradition of antique pinkeeps so as to protect all of the pins and needles from rusting. This isn't much of a problem for us today but, in early times, pins and needles were far too precious to risk damaging. I really love the man and the woman in this one. Guess I have a thing for stitching couples!

Sandy

Sampler Cupboard Hanger

My first "stitching" love has always been cross stitch. I've been cross stitching for over 30 years now which must be why it sometimes seems like I've been doing it forever! When I finished this sweet "Lady Love" Sheepish Designs sampler, I decided to make it into a cupboard/door hanger and not mess with the framing. Because I stuffed it with wool, I guess it could also serve as a pinkeep since wool is such a great choice for keeping pins and needles in good working order.

Sandy

Four Patch Doll Quilt

I really enjoy creating doll quilts from 19th century reproduction fabrics and pink and brown is just about my favorite combination. This quilt is 13 inches square and is entirely pieced and quilted by hand. The two girls enjoying a little bit of sunshine are part of my small collection of antique china head dolls.

Sandy

Calico Tucker Doll

Welcome to my new blog! I just finished making this wonderful pattern by Catherine Douglas Mahone of The Primitive Heart and had a lot of fun in the process. My daughter added a pencil face to her which wasn't in the pattern but I think it gives her a special little something. At nine inches tall, she is the size of doll I love making most, not too big, not too small but just right :)

Sandy