Redwork Portraits of Important People Feature Names
Chapter 2a
Sometimes, portraits of important people appear in nineteenth century design catalogs. The images of Martha Washington and Grover Cleveland seem to have been very popular items to embroider! However, if names had not been added, today we might not recognize the people represented in the line drawings!
The two images above appear, in the sizes shown, in the 1890 M.J Cunning's catalog.
Without the words, “President McKinley, our martyred president,” on the Pan American Exposition Redwork Quilt of 1901, it is highly doubtful that most Americans living today would make a connection between the portrait on the embroidered block and the president himself. In Chapter 10, we will provide more information about the circumstances that prompted the making of that quilt.
A Maxim on a Sewing Pouch
Source: M.J. Cunning Catalog, 1890
This late
nineteenth century Victorian Redwork sewing pouch measures 18 5/8”
wide x 20” tall. The “pouch” itself is 7 3/8” deep. The red
binding is applied to the edges of the linen and measures 1/2”
(1” before
being folded in half).
Note: While the author does not generally
alter antiques, in any significant way, the decision was made to add an antique
button and a hand crocheted loop to create a closure mechanism, in
order to make the pouch less floppy.
A
Poem Regarding Fancywork
The Husband's Complaint
I've
heard of wives too musical – too talkative – too quiet
Of
scolding and of gaming wives and those too fond of Riot;
But yet of all the errors I know, which to women fall;
Forever
doing fancywork, I think exceeds them all.
The
other day when I went home no dinner was for me,
I
asked my wife the reason; she answered, “one, two, three.”
I
told her I was hungry and stamped upon the floor
She
never even looked at me, but mumbled, “one green more.”
If
any lady comes to tea, her bag is first surveyed,
And
if the pattern pleases her, a copy there is made.
She
stares too at the gentlemen, and when I ask her why?
Tis,
“Oh, my love, the pattern of his waistcoast struck my eye.”
Ah!
The misery of a working wife, with fancywork run wild;
And
hands that never do naught else for husband or for child;
Our
clothes are rent, our bills unpaid; my house is in disorder;
And
all because my lady wife has taken to embroider.
A History of Needlemaking
-
T. Morral, 1852
Victorian Hairdressing Capes
When it was time for a haircut, a fancy garment, a Victorian hairdressing cape, was draped over the shoulders of the person who was about to receive a new coiffure. The vintage capes in my collection have similarities, yet are constructed in a slightly different manner. Apparently there was no standard way of making them. All of the capes appear to have been made of damask linen. Perhaps some of these were made from recycled tablecloths.
An elaborate example of a cape can be seen in the book, Redwork Renaissance (Quilter's Muse Publications, Concord, NH, 2006, third edition.) That one has a satin bow drawn up in the shape of a rose that hides the neck closure. Lace adorns the neckline. Redwork designs of brushes and combs, etc. adorn each of the lower front sections.
A cape that has no red color on it whatsoever is shown above, although it is possible that the color seen here is not the original one, but a faded version, perhaps of a red thread that was not "Turkey Red," and therefore, not colorfast. photo by James Cummings
The motifs of “bobby pins,” decorate the upper front panels thatare embroidered with yellow and light tan threads. The body of the cape has very beautiful pulled and drawn thread designs, and an elegant fringe hangs from both front and back.
These capes no
doubt served a dual purpose. They kept one's dress clean and tidy
while getting a new hairdo, and they also must have made the
“client”
feel very elegant. The amount of love that was put into creating such
wonderful garments seems extraordinary in today's world. Most often,
plastic drapes are used by hairdressers.
The special Victorian hairdressing cape below, is a recent addition to my collection. An message in Redwork is embroidered on the bottom of the back, “The Crowning Glory of a Woman is Her Hair.” Collection of Patricia Cummings. Photos by James Cummings.
Go to Chapter 3
©Copyright 2006/2007. Patricia and James Cummings, Quilter's Muse Publications, Concord, NH. All Rights Reserved. Please enjoy the designs contained in this pages, and make lots of fun projects, but we ask only one thing, PLEASE DO NOT REPRODUCE THE DESIGNS FOR SALE. Thank you.
If you have any questions, please contact us at: pat@quiltersmuse.com