Hand Applique And Cutwork – Vintage Embroidery And Sewing Techniques Part 7

Hand Applique And Cutwork - Vintage Embroidery And Sewing Techniques Part 7

Now I have two samplers for you: one is cutwork, the other applique work. Both samplers were made in 1950.

vintage 1940s 1950s hand cutwork eyelet lace broderie anglaise

The design was cut out first, the raw edges of the eyelets were then finished with tiny, closely spaced overcast stitches. The embroidery was done with ordinary sewing machine thread. The cutwork is so delicate, I wonder if it’d withstand washing.

-> Tutorial: How to make Broderie Anglaise by Hand

vintage 1940s 1950s hand cutwork lace wrong side
Wrong side of cutwork
1950 cutwork design for a blouse neckline
1950 cutwork design for a blouse neckline

1940s 1950s embroidery hand applique flower

The second sampler is a flower applique.

vintage 1940s 1950s hand applique buttonhole stitch

The flower, stems and leaves were all appliqued with small, closely spaced buttonhole stitches by hand. The thread is again ordinary sewing thread.

vintage 1940s 1950s hand applique buttonhole stitch close up
Close-up of flower applique

The applique is also so delicate that I wonder if the applique would still be attached after washing.

1950 hand applique design for wool dress
1950 applique design for a wool dress

How to applique by hand (1950 instructions by my grandmother): Mark the place for the applique with basting stitches on the dress. Take the bodice of the dress apart. Place the fabric for the applique on the right side of the bodice (make sure that the grainlines of both fabrics match), and place the applique design on top; secure all layers with tacking stitches. Carefully sew along the lines of the design with tiny stitches. After all applique pieces are attached, rip off the paper. Now cut away the fabric close to the stitching line. Then attach the applique with closely spaced buttonhole or other embroidery stitches by hand.

1950 floral hand applique flower application by hand

Here you’ll find part 6 and part 8 of the 1950s embroidery and sewing series.

8 thoughts on “Hand Applique And Cutwork – Vintage Embroidery And Sewing Techniques Part 7

    1. Thank you but I didn’t make the samplers: My grandmother made the samplers in 1950 in the first year of her dressmaker’s apprenticeship. 🙂

  1. Oh… I like these samples. I’d certainly be too scared to attempt to wash them except by placing them in water, gently swirling the water and then remove the excess water by rolling in a white towel… but I’m not sure I’d be brave enough to try even that. 🙂

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