Somehow this morning I was unavoidably sucked into a charity shop and ended up with these napkins.
The hems are less than a quarter of an inch wide are sewn with herringbone stitch.
The appliqué is on a minute scale. The measurement from the tip of the leaf to the top of the flower is a fraction over two and a quarter inches. This napkin is the prettiest of the four because the weave of the yellow is graded, giving a darker shade to the upper petals. The lattice pattern in the centre of the flower is worked in tiny embroidery stitches.
The work and fabric is very similar to the appliqué on the tray cloths which I have, and again I am wondering whether a pre-cut kit was used.
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This tray cloth is even prettier than the one I showed last week.
The weave of golden yellow cotton used for the lower part of the large flower is graded in colour, giving the effect of light falling on the petals.
The little pink flowers are absolutely tiny, a touch less than three quarters of an inch across.
The two tray cloths came together, and looking at the quality of the stitching I am sure they were made by the same person. She certainly didn't lack patience and skill.
This beautiful little tray cloth has hand stitched appliqué on a tiny scale. The pink flower measures just a fraction under two inches across.
There are about six miniscule blanket stitches to every quarter of an inch.
Browsing through my May 1937 copy of The Needlewoman, I found this interesting advert on page 3, under the rather racy picture of Mrs. Simpson. Patterns were 2d at your local needlework shop, or send 3d in stamps and have them sent direct by Wm. Briggs and Co. of Manchester.
What I found particularly interesting is that they supplied the pattern "With the coloured organdie pieces already attached."
Somehow I think the lady who stitched the gorgeous little green tray cloth was skilled enough to cut her own pieces. The stitches for the hems around the cloth are equally tiny.
