Simply beautiful!

Fantastic article! Love these all!

That is absolutely amazing! I want a tatter! :)

These old needlework skills are a beautiful show of the talent of what would have been 'average' women of their time, love this story!!

Lovely pieces! I admire anyone who has the patience and skill to do such intricate work!

Textiles of all sorts make me shiver with delight, and I'm so glad there are people out there who know what work went into these pieces so frequently forgotten in drawers all over the place..... Heidi

beautiful beautiful work!

love love love!

Beautiful!

Wonderful article! Kindred spirits we are, those of us who appreciate crafted items from the past and want to keep them alive.

Such beautiful things, all everday items from long ago. Love it!

So beautiful! Thank you for a wonderful story and a little history lesson.

What an amazing post. The history is so interesting. I very much appreciate the time and skill that goes into this craft. Thank you for collecting and sharing with us. Also great Etsy finds!

nice

gorgeous!!!

Thank you for sharing this! I too hear the "siren song" coming from the linens section of the thrift shop but I am also guilty of tucking these treasures away in drawers. They always seem "too nice" to actually use. I know the person who made them, whoever they are, would want them to be seen, used and appreciated. When I look at it from their perspective I get more brave about taking them out.

Framing and shadowboxes are a great idea, I'm always "rescuing" doilies and there are only so many dressers to lay them on.

Wow!

i gained a love for hand embroidered lovelies from my mom. she would also scour thrift stores for tea towels, table runners, etc., and i have inherited those pieces. i use them as my sewing machine dust covers and for backdrops for my product images. the pieces my mom embroidered are family heirlooms, and i hope to have some of those hanging in my home some day.

Beautiful story! I am going to look at my antique pieces I have stored away

gorgeous. love crocheted doilies. :)

That hankerchief I used on my wedding day had lovely tatting. My grandmother gave it to me and shared with me other tatted pieces that she had. It is such a detailed and complicated art. It's sad to see something like that lost. I wish tatting would have a come back! I'd love to learn.

Lace is my favorite along with those flower drops. I have this favorite necklace with cut shells hanging off of it. It hurts me but I feel so pretty while wearing it.

very cute items...thanks for sharing the story.

Lovely! Ur very talented.

so beautiful!

Wonderful article. My mother-in-law did tatting, crochet and made quilts for all her children (8) and grandchildren (23). She was a wonder, and this article made me think of her. Thanks.

Nice post. When I researched my Vermeer "lacemaker" print I learned that lacemaking was actually taught in schools and lace was for the wealthy. Its an interesting subject.

Is anyone else here familiar with the Lacis Museum of Lace and Textiles in Berkeley, CA, USA? They have fabulous collections: http://lacismuseum.org/

heart warming!

Beautiful story. I just inherited a length of handmade lace my great great grandmother made a little over 100 years ago. I still haven't found quite the right way to display it but perhaps Doris' idea of the shadowbox might work. Thanks for sharing this.

This is EXACTLY what I needed to see for some good inspiration!

Absolutely amazing article! It really resonated with me since I regularly get some lace, ribbons, and other treasures from my grandma back in France. Some of her treasures are from her personal collection (from making clothes and mending others) and some others she gathered and collected from great aunts in the family. As a result some of the lace I have is really old, maybe early 20th Century. She also gave me buttons which I use in my work making plush. Recently though I have started to use some of the lace she gave me. It gives me tremendous pleasure to be able to incorporate a little bit of "history" into my work, to not let those treasures stay in a closet... It is hard sometimes to actually use them because it means passing it on to my customers but it makes what I do even more special and it also is a way to honor the women in my family and that is truly priceless! You can check those links to see some pieces: http://hiboucards.blogspot.com/ http://www.etsy.com/listing/66628131/collectible-plush-toys-let-them-eat-cake Now I know I have to also take pictures of that big box of lace and post it on my blog :) thank you soooo much for sharing! Anne-Claire

love this article. i have a collection of handmade objects--tatting, crocheted doilies, quilts... I'm always finding new ways to use them--i so enjoy thinking of all of the time that was spent making these pretty things.

wonderful article. i too have purchased these lonely boxes at the end of auctions only to find beautiful treasures. thank you so much for sharing here and in your exhibits.

Loved this article. I recently inherited a box full of tatted and crocheted items that my German/Irish Iowan grandmother had made. I had no idea that she did any crafting. They are beautiful works of art that I treasure.

Thanks for this article!~ I am also drawn to all things lace and crochet =)

Wonderful article!! Thanks for sharing.

wow, the attention to detail is astonishing! FREE BLOG GIVEAWAY - - - - ENDING 3/1 http://thebloomingthread.blogspot.com/ Enter to win :D

Love your project of getting old linens out of their drawers. I grew up with doilies and runners on all the dressers and tables. We had crocheted doilies on our living room sofa and armchairs. Thank you for bringing out this nostalgic look at the past.

Awesome article! I have inherited some amazing examples of vintage and antique needle crafts after my great grandmother passed away. It is comforting to have these handmade and loved textiles around. Thanks for sharing!! xo

Thank you for this wonderful and heart warming story. I too value the beautiful treasures from the past and appreciate the work that went into their creation. I love holding these little labours of love in my own hands and think of the person who might have made it years before.

Fantastic to read this. I 'save' all the time - usually the oldest saddest lace that just wants to come home with me and be reinvented. I love the idea of displaying pieces like a frozen moment in time to remind us of the skill and tradition that went into these pieces.

Inspiring and beautiful. I learned something new. I definitely want to looking to tatting.

thanks for the wonderful article, each day i am inspired by an appreciation for the unique charm of vintage hankies & lace! xo

It is sad to find them unloved in a box,often times with a note to the family! I love them and have doilies all over my house...even in my fridge lining the shelves!

So nice to see so much tatting, but it's never in the back of my closet!

Such a lovely, interesting article. I, too, can't walk past one in an op shop and never fail to be amazed at the time and skill that go into these beautiful pieces. It is a wonderful thing that you create displays for them to be brought out into the open. These exquisite pieces of handiwork should be treasured and appreciated. Thank you for sharing.

Beautiful . Thanks for the history lesson.

Lovely!

wonderful post...such a great way to honor handcrafted pieces of the past!

Whenever I come across these types of pieces I always hope someone will love them. Great job.

I have many pieces from both Grandmeres and my mother...I have put many display many in my office to enjoy their design and colors...and to honor the work and talent of my relatives...they look fantastic and everyone wants to know their story. Thank you for such a great story!

What a lovely post. Thanks so much for sharing the beauty of craftwork from times gone by. My Grandmothers were great craft women. Making many, many special items for family and friends. I have an interest in lace also because my french ancestry is that of lace makers coming to Australia from France. I am truly drawn to lace and crochet because of the family connection. It is great to share that with others.

...Just what I needed! I've recently been inventorying all the crocheted doilies, tablecloths etc I inherited from my Norwegian mother in-law. I've learned a lot about Scandinavian Hardanger and continue to research other pieces. The history lessons each piece teaches is quite remarkable. I'm also looking for creative ways to re-purpose stained items.. Thanks for the inspiration!

What great treasures. You bring back lots of memories. Thanks for the article.

Beautiful work! This reminds me so much of my late grandmother, "Mamo"...the inspiration behind my shop, and the beautiful lady in my avatar image. Thanks so much for sharing! In Bliss, Jess

I still practice all the traditional needleworks. Not only crochet and tatting, but almost any kind of embroidery. I love to make White on White Work, Hardanger, Richelieu, free stitch lace, etc. It's a pitty that a lot of sellers here on Etsy have no idea what is what and describe the work not well. I so often see laces discribed as hand crochet when it is obvious it is machine made. So called Vintage lace sold as Venitian, when you can see it is nylon.... What strikes me the most is that a lot of handmade laces and embroidery work is sold at very, very low prices on Etsy. Oya makers from Europe are forced more or less to sell cheap, just because a lot of people have no clue how skilled you have to be to create that. I love this article.

I love this article, thanks for sharing!

vintage lace is seductive. i have been diddled by her charms as well :)

Great article. I have several pieces my grandmother made when she was a young woman. They are absolutely amazing.

My grandmother would sit for hours a day crocheting by the window. She made me beautiful things throughout my life. My favorites are a lacy dress and a beautiful bed spread ,both crocheted from cotton thread. How sweet the memories I have of her are working magic with that needle and wrinkled hands.She was 97yrs old.

My mother crochet. One thing I cherish is she had those little plastic dolls. She crochet dresses and bonnets for them. She had made those about 35 years ago and I love looking at them. I enjoyed your article. Thank you

Beautiful!

What a wonderful article! I too collect vintage lace and needlework patterns, old interesting spools of threads, and examples of crochet lace. I also like to think I'm continuing on the tradition with my jewelry, which is entirely crocheted by hand. Thanks for sharing your interesting collection! :)

What a wonderful article about a wonderful collection. I too collect these kinds of items and sometimes sell them in my vintage shop, and sometimes incorporate them into my own textile artwork. I also feel that rescuing them is a way of honoring the women that came before me. My mother taught me to embroider and crochet. Since girlhood I have spent many a pleasant evening hand- stitching or crocheting.

wonderful article ~ so after my own heart! thanks for breathing new life into a lost art

Thank you for this wonderful article! Very inspiring. I, too, am captivated by these marvellous needlework creations that are now often discarded, and I try to incorporate their delicacy in my own work in a more contemporary way.

These are some awesome crochetes.

Oh so lovely are the photo's above, love vintage textiles, wish I had learned needlework from my grandmother as a young girl.

I love tatting and have great respect for those who do this lovely art. I've tried my hand at it and while I'm pretty patient....not so with this...lol

What a lovely article! My mom crochets a lot and taught me when I was little. There is so much work that goes into this craft - I'm glad there is someone like you to honor the love of needlework!!

Thank you for the comments. I have found the needlework transports people to fond memories of the people of their lives and brings smiles to their days. What could be better?

Beautiful collection!

Great article!Thank you for including my work in such a gorgeous collection!

beautiful work..love everything:)

Nice article -- and, yes, there are beautiful vintage needlework you can find. But there are also some still making beautiful laces in Thread Crochet, Tatting and Hardanger. It is not really an "old" art or vintage -- it is a wonderful craft that is still alive!! You can also find people who will do Custom Work, particularly in Thread Crochet!! Search - but be sure you add "handmade" and see if it is currently made -- or a vintage, second-hand piece!!

Beautiful.

neat!

I love lace.

Love the crocheted thimble holder - Cheers !! Great article Linzee.

Beautiful story. I bow to women of previous generations who could decorate their home with as much as some thread and a hook.

I agree with RSSDesignsInFiber. Nice article and we all admire vintage needlework. But I also would like to say that Thread Art is still alive, that those beautiful creations are not only in dusty drawers! There are people - older and younger - who make beautiful pieces of Thread Art today. There is a bunch of them here, on Etsy!

Amazing works! *_* Lovely and unique

Wow it's so lovely to see an article on here that includes tatting! As RSSDesignsInFiber said, this and other types of lace are still alive. There are quite a few of us, including myself, who create tatting on Etsy and on the wider internet. Also it's quite simple to learn once you get the first 'flip' and there are several books to help you. I learned about 5 years ago from my mum and I haven't put my shuttle down since :) It is definitely not a lost art! I love what Doris has done with the pieces she finds. It's clear they've gone to a good home.

Wow! Its so nice to see one of the 'lost arts' featured on Etsy. So few people remember these arts these days. This brings back memories of me sitting with my grandmother as she attempted to teach me to tat, knit and crochet with the very find threads.

I was so taken in by this. So beautiful.

beautiful pieces, can't begin to imagine how you'd make something like this. great collection.

delicious works, great article! ;)

Magical!!

Lovely! I got some om those little round needle things from my grandmother too. it's so nice to see the love and detail she put in.

Great article but I also agree with RSSDesignsInFiber, there are still many artists on Etsy that continue to keep these wonderful forms of fiber art alive. Many of us learned at our grandmother's knees and that knowledge continues to be passed on to the next generation.

Thank you....so nice to see the respect and admiration for the many hours the women who made these things spent to create something beautiful and timeless. I was inspired by my own Grandmother to learn to tat.

great article!

I've been thinking of learning tatting! Such beautiful, delicate work- and I am excited that we are re-discovering it.

I, too, am often dismayed at the handmade beauties just cast aside. I think 'ARE YOU CRAZY?!?' My wedding gift from my granny was 8 crocheted doilies in all sized and different patterns and they will be passed down to my futute children.

Linzee - thank you for this beautiful, personal and contextualized story - so much of the (women's) work that she collects and now displays / shares is work like much of that found on etsy - made with care and precision, as gifts, to provide extra income, and for personal fulfillment. The threads connect us all. M.

Wonderful article! "Needlework from the Drawers of Daughters" describes my memories of sitting in front of a hope chest filled with crochet, tatting and needlework treasures past down in the family! Thank you for what you do!

I love that beard beanie! lol But this is one of my favorite pastimes that my mother taught me. I don't know how to tatt, but crocheting is something I really enjoy.

wonderful carrot! I wanna eat it!

Wonderful blog post! I have a trunk filled with vintage linens and have collected them for years AND actually use them; as is or repurposed. But gone are the days of finding bark cloth (my fave!) at thrift stores. At least around here.

Nice article promoting admiration for the work from the past. Contemporary lacemakers also deserve more respect for their ingenuity, time-intensive labor, highly developed skill, and the new beauty they create.

This article, along with the work exhibited is really beautiful. I too have heirloom fabrics which I occasionally take out of their drawers, touch, daydream about and then carefully put back in their place. I think it is so poignant that these beautiful pieces of work outlive their creators. It is lovely that they are appreciated by so many as is evident from all of the comments above.. I too will take inspiration from the article and try to display them more around me. Thank you!

:D thanks for the feauture.. amazing work here.. nika xoxo

thank you for reminding me of my mother's explanation of "your _______made this" I took a class in tatting years ago just so I could say I learned. I have my grandmothers shuttle. I am going to go back into my boxes to look again.

What beauty! Thread crochet and tatting are truly wonderful sights to behold!

Soooo beautiful!

Amazing...after reading this article I dug into the old family closet and found some old pieces of my grandmother-numerous coffee table cloths and pieces to decorate my house-I am so inspired by the tenderness and beauty of needlework!!!

What a beautiful work. I am impressed.

Great article :)I love it ! Congrats !! Cute carrot Sabah :))

Incredible! I love that she's preserving such beautiful work, and sharing it in places like the public library, where anyone can enjoy it. This is one of my favorite This Handmade Life posts of all time. Bravo.

Wonderful! Now I understand why I'm moved by older linens and lacework that have beautiful motifs. Thank you.

Awesome vintage items, nicr article. The art of Thread Crochet is still alive today & you find many new Thread Crochet Artists here on Etsy that such as myself who specialize in Crochet Thread Art & make many items from vintage & new patterns.

Going into antique shop or a "junk" shop, textiles don't CALL me across the room, they YELL at me! My mind becomes preoccupied from everything else in the shop til I go back and assess those noisy textiles...especially the great laces and moldy old florals. The will weakens, one side of my brain has a fight with the other side....and so it goes til I break down and buy! Oh, and my friend calls refers to my fabrics, etc. as, "your children!" Good article!

I am very impressed!!! Beautiful work.

These are objects my dreams are made up of!

Wow - I am blown away with their talent!

OMG, thanks so much for featuring me, and what an amazing article!

I love this. I have alot of my great grandmothers, wish i was old enough to have learned the art when she was still here

Go crochet! http://www.etsy.com/shop/ElevenHandmade

Love "passed down" lace and tatting! I've scanned some to use in my work and will be searching for more.

Fabulous article Linzee! Such a lovely art form - the intricacies of lace and tatting always remind me of spider webs, so much work and detail! Oh - I adore spider webs so that is a compliment! :)

There's just something about intricately tatted or crocheted thread. Thanks for this.

Tatting is an amazing craft. I used to watch my mother in awe as she created beauty out of a peace of thread.

This artcle made my heart go pitter pat. Beautifully written. Pam

Beautiful work. I also love old crochet items, and tatting. I do the lace items myself. Also have made Victorian dolls & other items from the old style of crocheting. Would love to learn how to do the tatting. Great article!!!!!

I have accumulated such a stash of lace and tatted items over the years. I used to display them but yes, they've ended up in the back of the linen closet. Thanks for reminding us about how beautiful and precious these pieces are! Now...to dig them out again...

Fabulous Article. I love old lace and crocheted items.

Great article I love your work! I have crochet maps that my mother made and I love them! I'm honored to be featured here with my basket Brooch, thank you! Good luck :)

Beautiful article. I, too, am drawn to these linens of yesteryear. Some of my favorite cloths are ones I've purchased at garage sales. They are truly works of art.

Hi Doris, You have touched something close to my heart as I have the crocheted irish purse that came with my family and learned to corchet when I was very young. I have my grandmother tatting shuttle. I have collected lace and anything with crocheted and tatting scarfs to hankerchefs to pillow case. I love them all like you I feel the love and care it takes to do it. I have been working on a project for my two sisters and my brother amd me. We lost our mother will be two years next week. I have some picture boxes that I am working on to remember her by. i ahve picked the things to put in it. So when we have her memorial I will give them to us. I want you to know that from the drawers of daughters and mothers and grand mothers and great grands is what touches my heart. Thank you for perserving not only the beauty of the piecs but bykeeping the love of mother to daughter alive. It made me cry for my mother but not weep for her as the meories of great grands crocheted items is good not sad. sO THANK YOU. i HOPE WE CAN BECOME FRIENDS AND SEND EMAILS. i WOULD LIKE TO SEE WHAT ELSE YOU DO WITH YOUR TREASURES. tHANK YOU FOR HELPING ME THROUGH THIS DIFFICULT TIME RIGHT NOW DARLENE A. HINKLE

LOVE LOVE LOVE!! <3

I love your story. My great grandmother was a tatter, and I learned it a few years ago. It takes a lot of time and practice to make beautiful tatted objects. In my projects I sometime use antique tatting, and I wonder if many people realize what it is, or if they appreciate it. Your story warmed my heart! Thank you!

Great article! Thank you for encouraging us to use and enjoy those older piece's of handwork.That is why they were made!!

i Love your store.. check out http://www.etsy.com/shop/ShaXity