It seems a vintage sheet, tablecloth or napkin is far more valuable if it's monogrammed...
These linens would have been stitched by young women for their dowry chest. That way they'd have a collection of nice linens ready for married life.
I thought it would be lovely to have a monogrammed cotton sheet on my daughters bed as part of her room makeover. The fact that she'd rather have some hideous poly cotton Littlest Pet Shop bedding is neither here nor there. I can't go there. It goes against every fibre of my being.
So I thought, how hard can it be to do this monogramming?
I picked up two vintage cotton sheets from the flea market for 50p each, found a monogram template online and printed it out the size I wanted. (Weird snobbery - I can't do new poly cotton but I can do 50p used cotton sheets.)
I pinned it under the sheet and traced over it in pencil.
Then I went round all the outlines in a small backstitch, using all 6 strands of white embroidery thread...
An embroidery hoop kept it taught while I stitched.
Next, I filled in the solid parts of the design with little straight stitches inside the backstitched lines.
It doesn't matter if it's looking messy. This is just to provide the padding when you go over it in your satin stitch.
With the satin stitch I sewed on the outside of the backstitched line going over and over with a nice smooth finish...
Ta daa! Okay, if you regularly embroider you'll probably be quite horrified and it's nowhere near as good as the examples above but I'm happy with it. It took one evening of sewing and I really enjoyed it.
My daughter? Not so much.
My daughter may not appreciate my beautifying efforts but Bad Bobby and Fat Freddy are REALLY enjoying the raised bed! It wasn't supposed to be a cat bed. I'm just glad they're not using it as a cat toilet!
More on my daughters room soon...
Thanks to those who nominated me for the MADs blog awards. I was unaware (again) and so missed the opportunity to beg for votes. Doh. They don't actually let you know if you're nominated. One year I'll be ready with my campaign! Thank you anyway!
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it's a lovely detail. How patient you are. I had Beatles wallpaper for my birthday present when I was a kid. It was the ugliest stuff I'd ever seen but I was greatly envied.
ReplyDeleteOh I'm sure you were! If you'd have kept a roll it'd be worth a fortune...xx
DeleteYour embroidery looks very impressive to me, what a shame your daughter doesn't appreciate your efforts - bloody kids!
ReplyDeleteOh look, you've got ginger cats growing in your raised bed, that's nice! I do love those boys. xxx
They do look like they've taken root there. xxx
DeleteWhat a stunning evening's work, I'm sure you will both treasure it for years to come x
ReplyDeleteThank you Josie, one of us will! x
DeleteWell done indeed on superb stitching. I take my hat off to you for bothering....me, I couldn't be arsed but I have to agree it does look lovely and well worth your efforts, even if the nipper's not impressed.
ReplyDeleteThanks Fiona, I'm on the second one now. I'll be monogramming my way through the house at this rate...x
DeleteOh Emma I am impressed! My main collecting passion is monogrammed linen or just white on white linen. I used to sell antique linen on Ebay before I married again and in this new house my little cupboard won't fit in my new bedroom, so it is shoved into a corner where it can't be seen and I can't leave the doors open!
DeleteOh no! It's so nice to be able to see it. x
DeleteYour embroidery is so lovely. The bed, as it is dressed, is timeless. Further to the first comment; it does look as if there are orange tabbies growing in the raised beds-they are so precious, as are all cats.
ReplyDeleteThank you. I'm not sure what will happen when plants go in. They'll probably trample them!
DeleteI'm well impressed with your skills. Look at those boys! Cats are devils for basking in freshly weeded soil, aren't they? xxx
ReplyDeleteI think it's warmer there as it's darker. They do like a warm spot! xxx
DeleteVintage, but embellished by you - that makes it all the better in my book!
ReplyDeleteThe bed looks beautiful with the linen, cushions and blanket.
I'll be revamping my daughter's bedroom soon - she wants 1970s stuff, which is great because I recently restocked with 70s sheets and duvet covers - I see more patchwork curtains in my future!
Sounds great Scarlet! xx
DeleteYour embroidery looks darling, as does the entire bedding ensemble. Your cats are so cute, the look on his face is priceless.
ReplyDeleteThanks so much Cheryl!
DeleteThat's two very self satisfied looking cats! The embroidery is beautiful and one day (maybe not today, but one day) your daughter will appreciate and treasure it.
ReplyDeleteThanks Sarah! Yeah. I won't hold my breath...xx
DeleteHow lovely!! I have no doubt that one day your daughter will appreciate the time and effort you've put into making her room so beautiful (even if it's not Little Pet Shop of Horrors). xxx
ReplyDeleteHa ha. We are opposites so I doubt it! xxx
DeleteMe again. Did you see Dirty weekenders in France on C4 ? It's right up your rue, I loved it so much I watched it twice!
ReplyDeleteOoh, thanks for the tip off! I will check that out although it's many a year since I've been on a dirty weekend! What can you mean? ;)
ReplyDeleteYour Blog is beautiful, a feast for the eyes! I have two teenage daughters, they would kill for a room like your daughters, absolutely gorgeous. I've just discovered you and am so looking forward to reading more x
ReplyDeleteAh, thank you. There I was thinking the teenage years would involve painting the walls black and hanging posters all over it. Phew! There's hope! x
DeleteVery clever. More lovely things to see Emma Kate.
ReplyDeleteThanks Anne x
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