Housewifely Wisdom — Embroidery Patterns From 1920s Newspapers

Yesterday I posted Housewifely Wisdom pages with appliqué designs, but today it’s all about embroidery. First, a basket design for a bedspread, but I like the alternate idea of using these designs for the covers on porch chairs. Next is an apron that is supposed to work up quickly, but I would probably substitute colorful bias tape for the blanket stitching on the edges. Last is a quaint little maid, suitable for embroidery or appliqué, but with a warning. Click to enlarge the images.

Place this pattern in the center of the spread of unbleached muslin, which is inexpensive and especially nice for summer use. Work all of the circles in satin stitch, the radiating lines in single stitch and the remainder of the pattern in outline stitch. Pink, blue, yellow and green are the colors most used for a spread of this variety. Embroider the leaves in one or two shades of green. Use yellow for the centers of the flowers, blue for the daisy petals and pink for the flowers with large round petals. Use blue for the bell-shaped flower and yellow for the circle. The basket should be worked in dark green. Finish the edge of the spread in coarse blanket stitch of the same color. This pattern will make a lovely bedspread, but is also suitable for the covers used on porch chairs.

Use toweling or any material of a medium quality for this apron. Transfer the design to the lower part of the apron, then turn the pattern upside down and use the center group of flowers for the upper par of the bib. The back of the apron is made by extending the straps, crossing and attaching them to the skirt with buttons and buttonholes. Work the center of the flowers in satin stitch, dots in French knots, petals and stems in outline stitch. The leaves formed of radiating lines should be worked in single or lazy-daisy stitch. Finish the entire edge of the apron with coarse blanket stitch.

The dainty little lady on this page may be used as an applique design or a simple embroidery pattern for the bottom of a fancy apron, the center of a bedspread, or the corners of curtains. When used as applique, omit the lines in the skirt. Use material for the ruffles at the neck, sleeves and bottom of the skirt, and checked gingham or a pretty figured material for the sleeves, bodice and skirt. The face, arms, bouquet, streamers and hat should be embroidered on the apron and no attempt should be made to applique these sections. If the pattern is to be embroidered, work all the lines in outline stitch and the solid sections in satin stitch. The line in the skirt should be worked in tiny seed or back stitch. A pretty idea is to use narrow lace for the ruffles on the little lady’s dress. The two designs in the corners are pretty patterns that are suitable for towels. Work the dark sections in satin stitch, the dots in French knots, and the lines in outline stitch.