What more can I say? I have a selection of pieces to show you today, from my upcoming book, Creative Embroidery, Mixing the Old With the New, by C&T Publishing. Some of the pieces are gallery examples, some are examples of the projects included in the book.

Vintage hand- or machine- made laces can be used as a focal point, or for embellishments.

Framed Lace Collar: is a Stash Project that displays a beautiful vintage lace collar. You could substitute a nightcap, handbag, or vintage pair of gloves. I embroidered vignettes of silk embroidered roses and leaves, and added vintage buttons and glass beads for the embellishments.

Scrap Pins and Lace Collage Brooch or Needle Keep: These are two of the Stash Projects, that use very little materials, and time to make. They are a perfect way to preserve and use up small bits of this and that, and to give them purpose again.

My Fair Lady (gallery piece): I took a reproduction silk print, and framed it with a printed cotton upholstery fabric. I decorated the base of the frame with vintage and new ribbons, laces, and trims. I added in floral bridal appliqués, vintage glass buttons and beads, vintage shell buttons and buckles. I embroidered silk roses at her neckline, and added buttons down the front of her blouse and on her bonnet. If you would like to make a similar frame, I have written a free handout for C&T Publishing.

Lace and Rose Finery (gallery piece): The base of this piece started with a vintage upholstery linen. I collage-pieced my precious stash of beautiful, fine, lovely bits of lace given to me by my sister-in-laws mother’s husband, a collection that belonged to his mother Evonne. I added in sections of crochet lace for the baskets, and filled these with silk ribbon embroidered flowers and leaves. The embellishments include vintage glass and metal buttons, glass beads and charms.

Happy Stitching! ~Christen