Deerfield Embroidery

Deerfield Embroidery: Traditional Patterns from Colonial Massachusetts by Margery Burnham Howe

This is the story of the Deerfield Society of Blue and White Needlework whose two founders in 1896 first revived American Colonial embroidery, developed vegetable dyes and established a successful village industry which later involved other crafts. Their patterns were adapted from the work of seven eighteenth century needlewomen who lived in and around Deerfield. Some of the old pieces were found in a trunk in the local museum, others were added by patient research in the surrounding countryside. The Blue and White Society revived not only their stitches and patterns but also their vegetable dyes, and was active until 1926. Now a second revival is taking place, with renewed interest in the original pieces and in the adaptations and methods of the Society. This book covers not only the history of Deerfield Embroidery but illustrates the patterns, explains the stitches and tells how to reproduce the lovely colors of the vegetable dyes.

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