Old-fashioned Christmas embroidery: 6 antique patterns you can use

Easy embroidered Christmas gifts antique patterns

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Here are a few ideas for antique-style Christmas embroidery you can use to create small gifts. We have also included some bonus patterns, also from the early 1900s.

Christmas embroidery: Eleventh-hour suggestions for gifts (from 1910)

From the San Francisco Call (California) December 18, 1910

Just one week before Christmas and you have hunted and hunted and have not found the little inexpensive gifts down on your list.

Are you worrying? Never mind! Here are three suggestions for embroidery on little gifts, each one of which can be made in an evening.

Embroidered pincushion

There’s a square pincushion, for instance, that can be embroidered, and with the back surface can be bound over a silk form that you can purchase for a trifle. Work the flower forms in solid stitch and the leaves on each side of the stem in the same way. The centers should be eyelet work and the larger dots worked in the same way.

For variety, work the little half forms in each corner in eyelet work. This will give a combination that is effective, for through the openings the colored cushion will show and then, too, there is relief for the eye and the hand of the worker.

Pad the scallops and work in buttonhole stitch. For the back, the same square is used, with the slots for running the ribbon through. The central flower design, of course, is unnecessary. With colored ribbon to match the foundation, this pin cushion is a charming gift for a friend.

11th hour gift embroidery


Poinsettia Christmas tree embroidery pattern

Vintage Christmas embroidery pattern


Poinsettia Christmas tree embroidery pattern x3

Vintage Christmas embroidery pattern x3


Purse/money bag made with embroidery

How about a little bag for money or jewels? The useful holder is shown in the finished sketch buttoned down securely and suspended on a ribbon that is tied around the neck or to the inside of the corset. The plain portion is the back. The whole should be of medium-weight linen. Pad the scallops and work in buttonhole stitch.

Now, when doing the top of the little bag, allow for a hem on the upper edge. Work the scallops as usual, and the little forget-me-nots in either white mercerized cotton or white and blue. Work a buttonhole in the flap of the first piece, attach a button to the last made disk and sew the two parts together along the inner edgee of the scallops.

Just at the bend of the back part, shown by a dotted line, sew a narrow, strong white ribbon or linen tape. If the little carrier be for jewels, a chamois lining should be cut, the two sides buttonholed together, and the little pocket slipped in but not attached.

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How to make old-fashioned pomander balls with oranges & cloves

Poinsettia embroidery pattern – complete

Poinsettia pattern - complete


Poinsettia embroidery pattern – half

Poinsettia pattern - half

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1970s macrame projects: How to make a macrame plant hanger, owl & other retro creations with easy vintage tutorials

Hatpin holder

The long design is a new idea for a hatpin holder — it is the upper surface. There is another piece exactly like the top in shape, and two buttonholed slots. The two pieces are stitched together and ribbon is run through the holes at the top, holding a glass test-tube inside. The latter costs 5 cents for one of medium size.

Work the flower clusters in solid stitch and let the chain of little dots and the three lines of ovals be eyelet work. Pad the scallops and work in buttonhole stitch. Run white or colored ribbon through the slots. If you wish, you can give this dainty thing with a pretty hatpin in the holder.

Here are three ways to help you out in the last week of perplexity. And remember that, after all, the gift with a little of the giver’s loving work in it is doubly appreciated.

MORE: 40 classic vintage stencil designs you can download & use

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