A Needlelace Embellished Blouse
I must have worked the Needlelace Embellished Blouse when I was sixteen or seventeen – probably it was about the third or fourth project that I did, ever. Once I’d got hooked on embroidery – which happened over a piece that I’ve yet to show you, partly because I’m not sure where it’s hidden itself – I went from technique to technique and project to project almost without drawing breath!
I wanted something “Floral-inspired but modern”, I remember, so my mother suggested a pentagon for a flower and triangles for leaves. Thus:
The Geometric Floral we designed for my Needlelace Embellished Blouse
We divided the pentagon into triangles, because I wanted to use three different needlelace stitches (and also because it would be more interesting that way), and transferred it to a boat-necked summer top with a V at the back.
Needlelace Blouse
It’s hardly surprising I gave needlelace a try – both Grandmama and my mother had worked needlelace embellished table cloths, so it was in the air, so to speak. It’s also not surprising that I didn’t attempt another tablecloth. Even then I knew that I didn’t have the patience for that size of project!
Needlelace Close Up
The triangles forming the flower I worked either in Pea Stitch or Corded Single Brussels Stitch, and the “leaves” were Corded Point d’Espagne. There’s a Needlelace Tutorial starting here on a lacemakers’ website for those who are interested. Then I buttonholed the edges (the wrong way round, I think, now I look at the photo again!) and, with much trepidation, cut away the fabric at the back.
And it worked! I wore the blouse quite a lot for a few years, and now I’ve found it again I suspect I’ll be wearing it some more – although not this year <shiver>!
Very pretty!=)
Wow! Lotta work…but no surprise coming from you.
Very, very beautiful Rachel…
Wow!It’s beautiful.What thread did you use ?
THat’s very pretty indeed!
You were 17 and doing needlelace? Wow!
And it’s beautiful, btw.
Oh my, at 17 I was lucky to make up a circular skirt required for our Home Economics class! This is so very lovely!
How wonderful to have found that piece. As a wanderer my early pieces have been spread to the winds and are only memories.
A beautiful piece of work, Rachel.
Delightfully vintage so very “now”!
Your stitches are so even – it looks as if it has just been stitched. Over the years I have flirted with all sorts of stitching, embroidery, counted cross stitch, drawn thread work ……
I have just looked out three small tablecloths, embroidered by my great aunt, to use as part of dressing the house for Christmas. I must remember to take photos of them – I think they may be 70 or 80 years old!!
This is really lovely. What beautiful work! I have just found yur blog through ‘Craft Gossip’ and am adding it to my reading list.
Oh this is so beautiful Rachel….
beautiful needle lace and i love your placement.
Beautifully worked. I bought a book on needlelace several years ago, but that’s as far as it got!