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Sunday, December 4, 2022

It must be in the Genes

I’m delighted that my daughter Nicky has taken up sewing with a vengeance lately, and also enjoying doing some hand work.  Now that she as a light airy dedicated sewing room she has been doing such a lot.   She is happy to take any sewing related items off my hands, she said, so I have passed over all sorts of things, buttons, beads, lace, balls of crochet cotton I had accumulated, even feathers which I had purchased for goodness knows what, some time ago.  Plus quite a few crochet hooks which I had gathered up over the years and never ever used.   She likes to make dress up items for Art Deco weekends so I’m sure she will find a use for these items.

While rummaging around recently I came across four white hankies with fine holes stitched around the edges (I'm sure there is a name for this) to do a crotched edge.  Nicky recently taught herself to crochet so I asked if she would be interested in taking them off my hands.  My mother used to do this many years ago and I was always going to learn…… someday.  Within a couple of weeks the hankies started arriving in the post.  Here are the first two, such beautiful fine work, and she is self taught by watching videos.

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Two hankies done

And seemingly in no time at all, number three and four arrived, with the message that she had really enjoying doing the edges.  I’m really thrilled that she did this for me.

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Edging on four hankies done

But that’s not all, included in the items I had passed on her her a while ago were four stamped cross stitch table mats.  Once again, something I was going to get around to doing.  Probably highly unlikely as I have only ever attempted one cross stitch item before, and that was about 30 years ago!  At our pre-Christmas family lunch last weekend she presented these table mats to me, all finished.

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Four cross stitched table mats

If I’m honest I would have to say that Nicky didn't inherit her crotchet and cross stitch skills from me.  She does some dressmaking these days, but is not interested in knitting or quilting.  In her younger years she made gorgeous smocked dresses for her girls, and stitched me a lovely smocked nightie for my 50th birthday.  She has tried her hand at Hardanger, woodwork, and stained glass too, and makes her own soap and cleaning products.  OK, I’ll admit it – she is much cleverer than me!

18 comments:

ButterZ said...

Oh wow. She has done an amazing job. The crochet on those hankies is beautiful. Good on her for completing them.

Gretchen Weaver said...

The crocheted hankies are so beautiful! She's done a great job! It's nice you could pass projects onto her.

Berkshire Tatter said...

Your daughter may not have inherited the craft of crochet from you, but she did get the love of threads and skillful hands. Both of you do beautiful work.

linda said...

How lovely! your daughter is so talented, mine learnt how to crochet but her interest didn't last long. have a great Sunday.

Little Penpen said...

How beautiful! Her crochet edgings are amazing!

FlourishingPalms said...

Oh how nice for you! Having an "outlet" for your "I-plan-to-make" items is just perfect! You couldn't ask for a better situation. And it's apparent Nicky has skills for filling-in the gaps of your interests. I love those handkerchiefs, in particular. On a blog post, I saw this crocheted edging done on a homemade pillowcase, so of coure I had to try it. It's a lovely way to enhance something that's otherwise very plain. You can be very proud of your dear daughter!

Julierose said...

She certainly does lovely works!! So talented and creative...Isn't that great to "get" finished items instead of having to finish them off yourself? Hugs, Julierose

Ivani said...

Nicky did a wonderful job with the hankies and cross stitched table mats.

LIttle Penguin Quilts said...

Your daughter does sound very crafty! The cross-stitched table mats are lovely. It's fun to see what she's been working on!

Karen - Quilts...etc. said...

I always find it so nice to be able to pass on sewing notions and items to the next generation. So far only one is a little interested but none in the quilting - one day?

Karla (ThreadBndr) said...

I love that there's an unbroken line of fine needlework in your family! She does beautiful work. I remember that type of handkerchiefs. My grandmother used to get them at the '5 and dime' in the city.

You can, btw, still get the hanky 'blanks' with the holes. Search for 'hem stitched handkerchief'. There are several Etsy sellers.

Carole @ From My Carolina Home said...

Impressive!! Her talent is shining!!

Karrin Hurd said...

Gorgeous edgings on the hankies. Those are the kinds of things I usually look for at the vintage shop.

CathieJ said...

How wonderful that your daughter is finishing the items that you passed on to her. I have several hankies that are already decorated. I plan to use them in a quilt sometime in the future.

Jackie said...

What lovely work and how quickly she is getting items done.

God bless.

Cathy said...

Lovely work! How nice that your daughter finished up things you had in your stash but gave them back to you! Sweet girl! My daughter has no interest whatsoever in any kind of handwork.

Linda said...

Lovely hankies. And such lovely stitching done by your daughter.

Janice said...

Isn't it lovely to see the next generation enjoying similar past times to you. She is definitely doing lovely fine work. Aren't you lucky to be benefiting from it.