Showing posts with label needlework. Show all posts
Showing posts with label needlework. Show all posts

Thursday, October 4, 2012

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
 
 
 
 
 

Sunday, September 9, 2012

One lady's trash . . .

. . . is another lady's treasure.
 
Maybe so; maybe not.
 
Come see what I've found.
 
Some nifty china and porcelain containers
for future wool pincushions that I like to make.
 
 
 

A small blue and white plate
 for my blue and white kitchen.
 

Pretty pink plate to use for a dessert plate stand
after I add the crystal candlestick to the bottom.
 
 

Really nice advertising piece.  The advertising information
is printed on the back of this small trinket dish.
I'll probably share the advertising side of this plate in a future
Friday's Find.
 


Vintage West Virginia Souvenir
The old stove holds a secret -- a pull out measuring tape.
 
 




Little vintage bottles.  One is a prescription bottle.
The taller tin holds this amber glass bottle.


A lovely piece of finished stitchery.  I'll either resell the nice piece
or make it into a pillow or wall hanging.
 
 


A nice older book 
 



 
A lovely old book of stories and illustrations
 in not-so-good condition.
 
The title page is missing from this collection. 
Someone had written inside the cover "1913",
 but I found a reference to the year 1920 in one of the stories.
 

I can still use the great graphics and illustrations.
 

Lovely German teacups.  The teacup in the front
includes a place to store your tea bag once your done steeping
the bag in the water.
 
What have you found recently?
 
Please share.  I'd love to know.
 
Amy