I found this rather interesting doily in a charity shop recently. It measures 12 inches across, and has cut out sections between the brown edging and the flowers and leaves. I have photographed it placed on top of a piece of plain calico.
The appliqué is stitched in place with a very fine blanket stitch
Some of the yellow fabric has a colour-graded weave.
Looking at the back, you can see how coarse the background material is. Also, I was slightly surprised to find that all the stitching appears to have been done by machine.
I compared it with a tray cloth that I have because the yellow fabric used for the appliqué is so similar. The stitching on the tray cloth is definitely done by hand, and so much finer than the stitching on the doily, but they certainly seem to date from the same epoch.
I have been debating how to use the doily. Tempting as it is to stitch it to a background material and use it on a quilt or cushion, I think it would disintegrate too quickly. Perhaps it would be better incorporated into a plate stand. It might be time for a consultation with my husband about how best to make one.
This is the latest item I have completed for the Doll Quilters Monthly swap - my partner Brittoni in New York State has just received it. The theme for May was to make a quilt any shape but square or rectangular. That had me flummoxed for a bit, until I decided to make a free motion quilted doily
Starting with a tiny circle at the centre, I kept on going outwards, making it up as I went along. It started with a flower shape with radiating leaf shapes around it. Then I changed the top thread for a lighter colour, and went round a few times doing flame shapes, followed by spirals.
Around the edge I put binding in a contrasting shade, pink ric rac using the braiding foot and added buttons and beads.
When a vase is put in the middle you can see the darker quilting thread peeping out.
And because today is the first anniversary of the blog, here are the flowers, picked on a quick raid on the garden last month.
Finally, the encounter. I was in Bath this morning, on my way to my favourite café there, and heard singing. Nothing unusual, Bath is a buskers' haven. But this was two unaccompanied, unamplified voices singing folk songs in harmony. It was an absolute delight meeting Will and Ed, who walk around Britain singing on their way. Yes, really. Visit their website, where you can hear them sing. I had a request for them, but they didn't know it - a new song might be added to their repertoire if I'm lucky, in which case I will stand them a few jars next time they are in Bath.
Update - 28th June
Well I didn't tell you yesterday, but I sang a quick song for Will and Ed, and ended up being recorded, and today it is on their website with other soundtracks. Thanks for the lovely picture of the swans and cygnets, lads!
My top favourite song is The Good Old Way, which you will find if you click on the last track, Little Song in St. Rumwold's on the Marsh - the player will keep on going straight into it. I love it, it is sung with real feeling!
This post is being linked to Leah Day's blog for Free Motion Friday, so there will be links to lots of other free motion projects...
and also to My Quilt Infatuation for Needle and Thread Thursday for quilting and other needlework projects. .
Or is it something else? The lace edging has too much of a frill to it so it won't lie flat.
It is lovely intricate work, but awkward. It gets in the way a bit if you use it as a doily. Was the edging designed to have the extra weight so it would hang down? Is it a cover for a cream jug, a beadless version?
This doily also passed the audition and has been on the sideboard under a jug of flowers for Christmas.
I'm no expert on lace, but I think this is tatting. The lace is made up of tiny knots.
The infill in the points appears to have been woven in with a needle afterwards.
My husband came home from shopping on Christmas Eve with three bunches of flowers, which led to a flower arranging session, and then a rummage for something to stand the jugs on. I came across this beautiful little knitted lace doily.
Often people glance at knitted lace and assume it is crochet. I have seen at least one mislabelled item in a museum.
The only lace knitting I have done was in cream coloured double knitting wool for a cot blanket. I can't imagine ever settling down and working on tiny doilies - I'm content to admire the work that some patient and skilled lady did many years ago.
