Embroidery

Sadly, I don't have this shirt any more--totally wore it to death. It was old. Made in the era of embellished denim shirts. (If you click on the photo, the large slide will come up. Sorry about the debris on the slide; it's also old.)

I invented the design based a bit on old Pennsylvania/Dutch dowry chest paintings and English crewel work. And the feather stitch seam highlighting was another trick I dreamed up. I would rather invent my own designs than copy something else; it's far more interesting all the way around.

Haven't done a lot of embroidery lately, but am a big fan of white on white. It's best to do that when you have good, bright sunlight.

My Grandmother Manchester was a wonderful embroiderer. She taught me the basic stitches when I was a very young child. Even showed me how to do couched stitches and padded work. The first thing I ever made was a small scarf of cotton with the outline of a Schnauzer-type dog. I still have it.