I have finally started a textile book of my mums work. My mum was a prolific craftsperson – you think I do a lot, she made lots of things and was happy to try almost any craft, pottery, embroidery, spinning, bobbinlace…you name it, she tried it!
Last year we had to make the hard decision to find a care home for her and put her house on the market. When we were emptying her house there were lots of items she had made, some finished, others half made, some in good condition, others well used and worn.
I decided to keep hold of everything until I could have a good sort through and decide what to do with everything. Knowing how much work goes into a craft item I couldn’t bear to send them to a charity shop or even worse, throw them away. To give you an idea of numbers, she must have had over 100 paintings, all professionally framed, boxes of sketches, lots of quilts and enough knitting wool to open a shop!!
I have decided to make a textile book with various pieces in, I’ve been mulling it over for the past few months and I’ve finally started.
The first page I made is from an unfinished cross-stitch. It’s a quote from William Shakespeare, I’m pretty sure the top foliage should be a lot fuller, there were also two words unfinished, I found some similar thread and embroidered those in.
I decided to frame it with two co-ordinating cotton fabrics. I added some lace and some trim too. When I attach it to the backing I’ll probably stitch a running stitch along the other two edges. There was a large blank area at the bottom, I think it was meant to have the reference to the quote there, it needed something so I added five buttons, though one of them looks like it needs a bit more stitching!
This one measures about 12.5″ by 16″. I’m thinking of using one of the well worn quilts as backing to the pages, so there will either be a quilted page or I can stitch things to it, it’s still a bit of work-it-out-as-I-go-along sort of project. I think I’ll see how many pages I end up with before I commit to quilted ones as it may end up too thick.
The second page is an iris cross-stitch, I think this one is almost finished. I used quilting cotton again, but I added a broad lace trim down one side. My mum used to make a lot of bobbin lace, so although this one is bought, it will fit in with the theme. The bottom right corner was plain, I decided to add a pocket (of bee fabric as she used to keep bees) the idea being that I can slot in sketches or small paintings of flowers in the pocket.
Hopefully now I’ve started the other pages will gradually get easier to do, I’ve lots of ideas and thought, just got to see if they will work.
thecraftycreek 
This is just beautiful. Your Mum would really approve, and it is going to make a wonderul book of memories. I love how you have frames the pieces. Now I know where your talent comes from, what a super Mum.
LikeLiked by 1 person
Here is a true labour of love. This book will have good memories for everyone.
LikeLiked by 1 person
What a precious project.
How will you join the pages together? I ask because I have ambitions to make textile books for my grandchildren.
LikeLiked by 1 person
I’m still working it out but my thought at the moment is to put a strip down one side and then use the cotton balls like with the stitchbook project – I think it’s going to be quite bulky!
LikeLiked by 1 person
I think bulky is ok for a textile book, it will be lovely to handle.
LikeLiked by 1 person
that’s a lovely idea and will really showcase all your Mum’s needlecraft work well ^^
LikeLiked by 1 person
It is a lovely idea and one I did a few years ago fir a friend of mine. I am currently making one for myself with all the bits of embroidery that have no purpose except I liked it and wanted to stitch it!. It will be treasure when completed.
LikeLiked by 1 person
What a beautiful way to preserve your mom’s works in progress. It is easy to see where your crafting gene came from.
LikeLiked by 1 person
Your Mother was quite the artist. I can see that you got the gene too. This is such a sentimental piece. I will be so inspired by this. I can’t wait to see what all you put together. I am sure your Mom with be thrilled with what you do to honor her work.
LikeLiked by 1 person
This is such a super special project, Margaret! It will be a precious treasure when finished!
LikeLiked by 1 person
Oh, what a precious tribute to your mum! I, too, cannot bear to discard any of the pieces (mainly crocheted) I’ve received from my mother, but as you know, we cannot keep everything! This is the answer to my dilemma, perhaps. Do keep us posted as your journey progresses.
LikeLiked by 1 person
What a lovely idea! I am excited to see the other pages. This will be a wonderful heirloom for your family
LikeLiked by 1 person
A beautiful idea – I can only hope that somebody will feel the same way about some of the work I’m going to leave behind although I’m nowhere near as prolific as your Mum (or you) so it shouldn’t be so difficult. It will be a lovely tribute and heirloom piece.
LikeLiked by 1 person
It has made me think about all the embroidered pictures I have on the walls – we encouraged my mums friends to help themselves to her paintings!
LikeLike
Hello Margaret, what a lovely idea and a great tribute. I’ve collected work from several sources and this idea fits the bill as to how to treat it. You are always an inspiration, thank you. Kind regards Mandy xx
LikeLiked by 1 person
Thanks Mandy, I’ve a big box of work to do something creative with!
LikeLike
What a beautiful idea. I think my mum and yours might have got on very well. Perhaps it was their generation although you are the lie to that. But Mum (and no doubt your mum) always had to be busy – stitching in the evenings watching TV, gardening, cooking, painting, preserving. Some afternoons in her 80’s, she would sit with a favourite book. Every hour of every day was worthy and filled and I like to think that the genes have been passed on. They definitely have with you, Margaret. I can’t wait to see the progress of this book.
LikeLiked by 1 person
She was always doing something, she would get totally into a craft, be it spinning or lace making or quilting, get all the gear, join the local guild – or start one, buy the books, make lots and then after 4 or 5 years she’d move onto another craft!
LikeLike
I think you have the right idea there; something that’s been turned into a book or album is far less likely to be tossed away, and it brings together some lovely pieces. Would you consider backing each piece with a piece of paper that explains what the process is and when it was made? An album like this is the sort of treasure that may be found in an antique shop in the far future, and it would be interesting for the finder to know what it was all about.
LikeLiked by 1 person
That’s a good idea, I’m thinking of embroidering the names of various crafts that she did and adding them to pages, but I might include a pretty note book in a pocket at the back with more information in. I’ll give it some thought thanks
LikeLiked by 1 person
That is certainly a challenge… to clean the home of a creative person.
Such a loving tribute for you to finish some of her pieces.
LikeLiked by 1 person
It’s amazing how much stuff you can fit in a one bed bungalow!!!
LikeLike
What a wonderful idea to create a book of memories. Love it.
LikeLiked by 1 person
Thanks Deb, I hope she’ll like it.
LikeLike
This is such a wonderful idea! And it will become a real family heirloom.
LikeLiked by 1 person
Thanks, I hope so 🙂
LikeLike
What a great idea, your stitching is beautiful!
LikeLiked by 1 person
Thanks Karin, I hope she’ll like it.
LikeLike
Margaret, this is going to be such an amazing project for you, and tribute to your mom. I love that you are doing this!
LikeLiked by 1 person
Thanks Kathy, I’ll take it in to show her when I’ve a few pages done.
LikeLiked by 1 person
Ooh Margaret, how blessed you were and are to have had a Mother who loved crafts! Susie Homemaker did not live in my house, but I am making hay in retirement! This will be such a beautiful project for you to work on and keep, then pass it on to your children! Hugs
LikeLiked by 1 person
She was a very crafty lady in her day, she still knits very occasionally and draws sketches of the other residents 🙂
LikeLike
This is such a great idea. Your Mum is a very talented lady and so are you
LikeLiked by 1 person
Thanks Jane, she was a pretty prolific craftswoman!
LikeLike
What a beautiful, lovely idea! Her stitching is exquisite. What a treasure this will be!!! 🙂
LikeLiked by 1 person
Thanks, I’ve a big box of ‘treasures’ to do something with!!
LikeLiked by 1 person
This is so beautiful!
LikeLiked by 1 person
Pingback: Textile Memories | thecraftycreek