Friday 25 May 2012

This week in praise of............. embroidered maps

I love a nice embroidered map and I thought that these would serve as a suitable post for the Olympic torch as it wends its way around our shores (it is practically wending its way past our front door so I am going to ensure we do not miss it!).

These are some previous photographs of mine from Flickr but I look at my cushion every day and luuuurrrvee its embroidery. The larger blue map is one that I have often seen in Cath Kidston shops -  not for sale  - I keep pondering what to do with mine and think that framing it is probably the better option.


Dear Mary of the Vintage Cottage sent me this book of embroidery patterns and there between its covers was the design for my embroidery.  You must have a map cushion!!!!


I think that the red line of embroidery indicates the route - ho ho!


I have this particular embroidery several times over - as I discussed with a friend recently it is quite ridiculous to accumulate more of the same...cough, cough.......................cough.....! In fact I must get rid of some of these but find it hard to choose which to keep...

Thank you again for not posting on Pinterest or elsewhere

8 comments:

  1. Hi Jenny, as you must have guessed by now I am addicted to your posts and all of your gorgeousness!!!Thankyou sooo much for continuing, like the maps Ms. Constantine does a very covetable, but a little expensive, map of England cushion,it's on my loooonnnng! list of items to purchase one fine day!!!

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    1. Pam, Pam, Pam - I am sure that you could embroider one yourself. I had a look at Ms Constantine's site and was looking for an indication where hers are made - as they are hand sewn I hope that someone is being handsomely rewarded for that hard work. I can photocopy the picture from the book if you like and you can get started this afternoon!

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  2. Dear Jenny, The embroidered maps are so pretty! What treasures you have! That was so nice of sweet Mary to send you that book. I love that is says, "You Must Have A Map Cushion." Hee hee! I have a vintage hankie that is a map of Louisiana, so I might could make one with it, but I do love the embroidery. Thank you for sharing sweetie! xo~Paula

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    1. How lovely to have a hankie that is linked to your part of the world - I love the personal touch. I little lavender cushion would be nice to make out of it perhaps? Oh now I am some ideas racing around my head....have a sunny day

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  3. Hi Jenny,
    Love your maps, so to speak. I too saw one in Cath K in Winchester and lusted after it. Then lo and behold, there was one waiting for me in a charity shop in Bridport a few years ago now. It's large, like your blue one, framed, embroidered on plain beigey linen. There is also one hanging in the Imperial War Museum, apparently it was popular to make them during WW2. The best though, is seeing the pattern in that book! I most like seeing what symbols represent each county. What a gripping life I lead!
    hen x

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    1. Hi Hen - thanks for the info. regarding the Imperial War Museum (I remember reading your post about the 'closing' of the 1940s house - which was sad as I thought it was just super. The best buys are those which turn up when you are not expecting them don't you think - you can then tra la home with your bargain tucked under your arm and feel very happy and pleased. The book is lovely and as I am sure you know Hen there is a whole series of them (oh dear) - they were very good business people as you had to send off for the actual pattern after buying the book!
      My life is equally gripping - we are not alone!
      TTFN
      Jenny!

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  4. Hi Jenny,I just found you through Homes and antiques out this month! I love your home and blog and your collections are amazing! I'm really interested in the book on embroidering maps and wondered if I could be very cheeky and ask what the book was called that Mary sent to you? Many thanks for your help,best wishes,julie.

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    1. Many thanks Julie - house (and contents!!) have changed since then (the photos were taken over a year ago now - I am fatter and greyer.....).
      How funny - I was looking at these books only yesterday as I (sad I know) like to match up my 'real embroideries' with the patterns in these old books. The photo comes from one of The Good Needlework' series - they date from the 1930s/1940s and if you collect old embroideries you will see many familiar patterns in there. The books were a good marketing ploy because they show the finished article but you have to send off separately for the pattern! I have a few of these books and one day will do a little posting about them as they are quite amazing in their different designs

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