Italian Sampler Pillow $0
Down pillow insert: from a beaded pillow that Lucy chewed the beads off of when she was teething
Ruffle for pillow: the lower half of an old linen-hemmed shower curtain
Main fabric for pillow: a holey Italian linen tablecloth that was a little too holey to use any longer
Gorgeous embroidered ABC sampler: a gift from my aunt that went to Italy
It appears this was sewn in 1911. Why else would the embroideress stitch "1911" on it? So now Greg has to flip the pillow around and put his head on the back side if he wants to use it since I don't want his hair product to damage the heirloom. Yes, I'm that fun to live with.
I think the embroideress started a lowercase "r" and then realized she already did the "r" but couldn't pick the red thread out because it stains the fabric so quickly. The mystery of this bonus letter haunts me every morning as I make the bed. What. Was. She. Thinking!?
Back of the pillow. I was proud of myself for aligning the red stripes. Love the little embroidered initial detail from the tablecloth. They just don't make things like they used to! I am absolutely bonkers for old linens. I also really want to sew a sampler now. Been looking on ebay for a neat one. Who doesn't love the alphabet?
Lucy curled up next to the new BEADLESS pillow. Tough break, Luce. Enjoy those adult teeth and your Blue Buffalo dog food. It's all you're going to get for the remainder of your lifetime. Shot this photo before I sewed up the openings in the ruffle, but trust me, it is finished.
Melissa Durkovich Lawson
Reader Comments (4)
You definitely have an eye for detail. I love the blog, so honest and real, u inspire me. I might be recruiting u in the near future for house hunting advice, there is this adorable cottage in Provo that I love, I just need someone's opinion who has that "eye."
I'm so happy to be reading your blog- you have always had such an interesting view on things! I just wanted to comment on the r mistake in the embroidery. I heard once when touring a historical home that people use to think they had to make a mistake in these samplers because only God is perfect. I'm not sure if the tour guide was correct, but I thought it could possibly shed some light onto your embroideress.
Sarah, I love that theory! Works for me! And I have made a mistake in every embroidery I've ever done, too.
I love that you have tangible "history" in your house. Beautiful!