Netted mitts - Netting is created by tying knots over a gauge called a mesh stick. A double pointed knitting needle can be used as a mesh stick. A needle with an eye at both ends is filled with thread and then loops/knots are made around the mesh stick.
A flat silk embroidered doily or dresser scarf, named Japanese Chrysanthemum, adapted in the 1890’s from chrysanthemum patterns found in Needle and Hook produced by Belding Bros. & Co and Embroidery Lessons by Brainerd and Armstrong. Both were manufactures of silk thread, and each advertised as having the best silk. Made by Mrs. William (Emma Josephine) Bailey of Carroll or Lake City, Iowa. See pattern TE*T14423A.
Emma Josephine Rader was born December 15, 1863 to Levi and Ninon Rader in OH. She married in November 7, 1883 William W. Bailey in Lake City Iowa. They had three children- Mabel J, Arthur T. and Fay Margaret. She died February 4, 1941.
A huswif (housewife) of green and purple silk. A huswif was a small portable case containing sewing supplies. During the Civil War men took them to battle so they could sew on buttons and mend their uniforms. It is a family piece of the donor Mrs. Daniel Gardner, who was from New York.
This beaded purse has each bead sewn on individually. Beaded bags and knitted bags were fashionable in the 1800s. It was made by Sarah Hall McGarvey who was born September 22, 1823, in Strafford, NH to Elisha and Betsy Critchett Hall. She married James McGarvey (1814-1866) about 1842 in Derry, NH and they had seven children – Charles Henry, Sarah Abby, Jane, James, Jessie, Mary, and William. She died December 27, 1904 in Roxbury, MA.
Crochet sample book of samples collected by Anna Beitz Behling 1890. The cover and pages are of cotton fabric. Anna was born Feb 1817 in New York and her parents came from Germany. She married Charles Ernst Behling ca 1890 and they had three daughters. The book was donated by her daughter Glenola Behling Rose.
White on white embroidered cotton nightgown with center front opening with buttons and buttonholes down the entire length. There are two evenly spaced rows of embroidery on each front piece as well as embroidery on the buttonhole band. The block used to produce the meandering vine with leaves and flowers measures 3 ¼ by 1 ¼ inches. A second block applied 1/8 inch circles as flower centers. The circle block and a third block, measuring ½ by ¾ inches, were used to stamp the flowers on the collar and cuffs. The curved lower part of the gown is edged with a narrow piece of fabric that is in turn edged with a row of scalloped buttonhole stitches. At one point on this strip, the stamped lines show clearly under the embroidery. The stitches are eyelet, satin, and buttonhole. The eyelet stitches require first a hole to be made in the fabric and then satin stitches completely cover the edge of the opening. The blocks and nightgown were owned by Phebe Smith Norris (1804-1890), the donors’ great-grandmother.
Work box with examples of filet brode, some complete and some incomplete, frames, needles, and patterns. Some of the filet brode patterns were drawn by Mary Elizabeth (Rhinelander) Newbold in 1870.
Filet brode is a needle lace created by darning and embroidery stitches on a ground of knotted net. The net is created by tying knots over a gauge called a mesh stick. (A double pointed knitting needle can be used as a mesh stick.) A needle with an eye at both ends is filled with thread and then loops/knots are made around the mesh stick. After the net is made, it is stretched taut on a frame for the decorative stitching and or darning.
Mary was born December 12, 1826 in New York, New York to Frederic and Mary Stevens Rhinelander and married Thomas H. Newbold on April 23, 1846. She died June 4, 1897. Their oldest daughter Catherine was born March 27, 1847 in Paris. Three other children – Thomas (b. May 19, 1849), Frederic (b. December 1, 1853), and Edith (b. August 18, 1856) were born in NY. Catherine donated the basket, patterns and embroidered pieces.
A white cotton bedcover with an American eagle, shield and flag motif and the dates 1776-1876 in the center. The overall design also included birds, grapes, floral wreaths, and the initials "A.R." and a border of flowers, tassels, and scallops. It is 59” x 56” with fringe, made by Anna Daniels Rundquist (Mrs. Alfred E.) in 1876 to mark the birth of her first child and the nation’s Centennial. She was born in Sweden March 1856 and immigrated to the United States in 1873 and in 1874 married Alfred Rundquist in Elgin, IL. They had three children – Alfred W, Olga, and Vanja. Alfred was an employee of the Elgin National Watch Company. She died sometime between 1920 and 1930.
A wreath of raised flowers in polychrome wool yarns on a black wool ground, 19th century. The raised work is a bit different in that it is created with layered stitches (laid and couched) rather than tufted or turkey stitching.
A cap of fine muslin with couched “coronation” or Victorian braid. “A cotton braid, round and graduated from the thickness of coarse cotton to that of a small embroidered leaf in satin-stitch, which indeed it much resembled when worked. Some beautiful articles braided in this material, collars, sleeves, etc. were to be seen in the Exhibition of 1851, but though common enough until that time, it has never since been procurable.” The Lady’s Manual of Fancy-Work by Mrs. Pullan, N.Y. 1859, p. 200
A crocheted wool afghan embroidered in wool cross stitch floral motifs. The center has a spread eagle with shield, arrows, and a fruited branch, and the initials “TP” and “USA.” Made for Tattnall Paulding by one of his sisters during the Civil War. Tattnall was born July 5, 1840 and at the outbreak of the Civil War was commissioned a First Lieutenant on May 14, 1861 and joined the New York regiment. He was captured at Gettysburg and spent nine months in Libby Prison in Richmond, VA. After being liberated he rejoined his regiment and resigned active duty July 1866. He died March 5, 1907. He was the grandfather of donor.
A knitted beadwork drawstring-closure bag with an upper design of a continuous floral motif between saw tooth borders. A lower design of cabins and trees. It was owned and probably made by Agnes McGuire (1764-1850). Knitted and/or beaded bags and purses were fashionable in the 1800s. The bags were made on knitting pins of very fine wire using colored and opalescent glass beads strung on a skein of netting silk in the order indicated by the printed pattern (knitting one, knitting one with a bead, repeat). The beads had to be strung on the thread in exact order or the picture would not turn out correctly when knitted. Agnes McGuire was born in Ireland in 1764. She married Robert Robinson (1763-1815) March 1787. They were prominent early settlers of Kittanning, PA, where they raised three children - Robert, Sarah, and Nancy. Agnes died August 25, 1850 in Kittanning, PA.
A white on white embroidered cotton scarf, possibly for a dresser or chest. The design was stamped on the fabric with two embroidery printing blocks. The design is from Godey’s Lady’s Book June 1861, p. 522. The stitches used are eyelet, satin, and stem. The eyelet stitches require first a hole to be made in the fabric and then satin stitches completely covering the edge of the opening.
Two raised work embroidered peacocks embellished with beads on black velvet (unfinished work). The peacocks stand on a raised “ground” area with surface embroidered flowers, leaves, and grasses. To form the raised areas, padding of wool or cotton was stitched down and embroidered. Some of the feathers are stitched in silver metallic thread. Silk, wool, and chenille threads were used. The stitches are satin, stem, split, and straight.
Block used for stamping braiding design on fabric and Godey’s Lady’s Book August 1856, p 163, which was the source of the design. In the 1850’s and 1860’s ads in Godey’s Lady’s Book mention that the blocks were used for braiding.
Knitted beadwork purse, with a continuous floral pattern between zig-zag borders with a band of individual flowers at the bottom. There is cording at the bottom over the seam. It is unfinished at top and unlined. Beaded bags and knitted bags were fashionable in the 1800s. It was made by Sally (Sarah) Kendig born to Henry and Salome Smith Kendig on July 10, 1819 in PA. She married John Horter Ziegler (1822-1903) February 14, 1849 and they had one daughter - Grace. She died on January 5, 1895 in Harrisburg, PA.
White on white embroidered cotton nightgown with center front opening with buttons and buttonholes down the entire length. The pattern repeats about twenty-five times in the 51 inches between the neckline and the bottom hem, illustrating the advantage of using a block to stamp the design. The block used to print the primary pattern measures 2 5/8 by 1 3/8 inches. A matching row of embroidery curves along the edge of each front piece. The stamping and stitching were done before the gown was assembled. The stitches are eyelet, satin, and buttonhole. The eyelet stitches require first a hole to be made in the fabric and then satin stitches completely covering the edge of the opening. The blocks and nightgown were owned by Phebe Smith Norris (1804-1890), the donors’ great-grandmother.
A knitted beadwork purse, with a stylized flower repeat design, front and back. There are small flower bands at the bottom. It has a beaded twisted looped fringe at the bottom. Frame and fastener of German silver, with gold finish chain attached. Lined with blue silk, with a pocket. Beaded bags and knitted bags were fashionable in the 1800s. It was made by Clara Augusta Harvey Todd who was born to Charles and Augusta Farnsworth Harvey on June 27, 1869 in Methuen, MA. She married Burton D Todd and had a daughter Arvilla.