Merribee Company

 

Merribee Company

Fort Worth, Texas

 

 

I recently purchased two vintage stamped linens that were still in their original packaging.  Both were of the same design series.  One package held the armchair back piece.  The other package held two armchair rests.  



 

I've learned quite a bit from these lovely items about how some stamped linens were completed.  You'll notice on the photograph above that some areas of the rose are marked with an "X."  These were the areas that would be carefully cut out after all stitching was complete.  I'm used to seeing the finished cutwork design.  It was interesting to discover how the stitcher would know which portion to remove.

"No 2937 Armrests"

I can't make out all of the remaining lines, but can see the words

"Work Embroidery"

"Material"

"Marked X"

 

 



 

Lightly stamped armrests in linen.

 

The double line was for the stitcher to "pad" a buttonhole stitch. The stitcher would use the small buttonhole stitches to cover another thread.  The padding thread wouldn't be seen once the stitching was complete. 

 

See below for an example of another linen piece that has the padded buttonhole stitch.  Beautiful tiny stitches. 

 

 

The Armchair Back

 

 

 

Look at all the different pieces the stitcher could purchase in this rose design to display in her home.  I believe the two luncheon sets could also be considered "Bridge Sets" for card tables.  I was tickled by the size of the "Television Cover."  A huge 18" by 18"!  I don't think that would work for today's televisions.

 

The wording on the armchair back is much clearer than the first piece.

 

 

 

I haven't been able to find any information about the Merribee Co.  There is a Merribbe Needlearts store in Houstan, Texas, but my attemps at discovering any connection between the two companies have finished with dead ends.  I did find several tidbits of information about a Merribee Art Embroidery Company, but that company was based in New York.

 

 

I'm guessing by the feel and look of the fabric in these two packages that my set is from the 50's or 60's.

 

 

Have a good week!

 

Amy