When I was plundering through some linens over the weekend I realized I had never told you about my very favorite teatime tablecloth, which has a bit of a story behind it. It began about a year ago when I was violently outbid on eBay for another tablecloth featuring this same design. I was willing to go maybe $20-something, but alas, it went for well over $100! I had really fallen in love with the lovely white tablecloth and was so disappointed not to have won it, but that's the way the cookie crumbles sometimes.
I began to watch eBay for "alerts" about similar tablecloths. Thought I never saw this cloth listed there again, I did come across this January 1979 issue of Old Time Needlework Patterns and Designs, which includes charts for the tablecloth's filet crochet edging and insertions. The pattern notes that this was "a 1925 design." I wondered how they knew, exactly, that it was a 1925 design, and then ...
... I came across the February 1925 issue of Needlecraft Magazine, inside which is a chart for ...
... "An Effective and Serviceable Trim for Household Linens." I love old needlecraft magazines!
Meanwhile, I was trolling Etsy late one night and lo and behold, there was the longed-for tablecloth for $28 from a seller in Ontario, Canada. It was in absolutely perfect condition, and furthermore, although I *could* have crocheted the edgings myself, it would have taken me forever. Plus, my sewing skills aren't anywhere near as precise as would have been needed to stitch together this lovely cloth. So I broke one of my own rules and bought something I could have made -- and I've never regretted it!
I like that it features teacups and teapots so prominently.
And even a sugar dish with sugar tongs! Sweet!
The cloth is about 40 inches square, and it is definitely my most prized teatime tablecloth!*NOTE: Since I now have two copies of this crochet pattern, I would very much like to place one of them, the one in the 1979 Olde Time Needlework magazine, with a good home. Be the first one to leave a comment saying you could use it and it's yours!
That is lovely!
ReplyDeleteI wish I could say I can crochet, but your magazine would be of no use to me, so I will pass on the give away. Thank you, though!
I'd love to have it!!
ReplyDeleteCynda P., it is yours! Just send your snail mail address to angela@newnan.com and I'll get it in the mail to you!
ReplyDeleteI think you were meant to have it!
ReplyDeleteWell I can see why this is an all time favorite. And to think that you know how to do this kind of needle work is amazing to me. I can do basic crochet and knitting, but this? No way. So I hope whomever gets this wonderful magazine, will grace us with something from it.
ReplyDeleteI could use all kinds of tea-themed household stuff but maybe a little less lacy in appearance for me. I also wonder whether that could be washed easily since a bachelor like me isn't the cleanest housekeeper. --Teaternity
ReplyDeleteLucky you to have gotten such a pretty cloth!
ReplyDeleteLove the tablecloth. I can understand why you like it so much.
ReplyDelete@ Southern Touch Catering: filet crochet is actually very easy to do. If you can crochet, then you can do this. All you have to do is count and keep track! Angela, I have a good feeling I know the lucky lady that got this and will soon be asking her for a copy! lol. What a great entry this was! You didn't say where you find those cool vintage needlework mags, though...
ReplyDeleteThat is a very lovely tablecloth. It is great that it even has a sugar dish and tongs.
ReplyDeleteCongratulations Cynda P! I lurve the sugar tongs design! Just beautiful!
ReplyDeleteLisa S., the vintage mags came from eBay!
ReplyDeleteThat is a beautiful tablecloth! I have seen little cafe curtains in tea shops, and even lace draperies with teacups, but never a tablecloth...you were very fortunate to get that one!
ReplyDeleteHa! I recognized the pattern as soon as I saw as I have the original Needlecraft 1925 set aside for that very reason! Considering the time and skill, it is well worth the $100 or more that was bid on the 1st one. You got a steal!
ReplyDeleteJust found and bought this magazine on Ebay after reading this post. Going to make myself a black one to go with my gothic tastes. You just can't buy pretty lace tablecloths in black!
ReplyDeleteA huge framed crochet-picture of such a teapot as the tablecloth corner hung on the dining-room wall of a dear friend and neighbor. How I loved that piece, and how I coveted and envied the having of it, and the talented hands which must have worked endless hours to create something so fragile and so beautiful.
ReplyDeleteMy friend was a lifelong bachelor, returned to live in the family home with his elderly mother (she lived to be 100) after his own quite creditable career in music and teaching.
I lived far away when he passed on, but several friends wrote that his nieces and nephews put everything in the house out onto the lawn and sold it for pennies. I hope that splendid, fragile piece is hanging now in a place of honor over a welcoming table.
Gentle dolor.
rachel