When I was little my Granny and Grandpa used to stay with us for several months every summer, and one of my early memories is of being shown how to do some simple embroidery stitches by Granny. I wanted to be able to make traycloths like hers
Especially with lovely crinoline ladies and pretty flowers
These tray cloths are over 50 years old and were in regular use for years - and they were washed in the washing machine!
The flowers are so fresh, they could have been stitched yesterday
I also have these three white-on-white embroidered tablecloths - I think they were embroidered by my great-aunt Mima (Granny's sister). On special occasions, the diningtable would be covered first with a large white linen tablecloth and then one of these cloths would be spread on top.
Some years ago we had a Victorian house and the cloths were always in use, covering small tables. Now they are folded away in the airing cupboard.
This butterfly is so delicate - it must have taken hours to stitch.
My Granny was always a prolific knitter. So I guess sewing and knitting is in my genes - wonderful talents to have inherited. I just wish I had also inherited my Mum's talent for baking.....