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Tuesday, February 1, 2011

Chicken Scratch Embroidery

Very little is know about the origin of Chicken Scratch embroidery.  It was a popular technique of embroidery in the 1930's-1950's in the United States.  It is always worked on gingham check fabric.   Some other names for it were Depression lace, Amish embroidery, and snowflake embroidery.  (source: needlepointers.com)

I washed and pressed this apron and I was amazed at the work that went into it for such a simple piece that would be worn around the house.

There is even a row of stitching around the waistband.

Also, a little row of stitching on the top of the pocket.

How pretty the gingham looks embellished with the design.
If you have any information on the history of Chicken Scratch please comment.  I would love to find out more.  This apron is available in my Etsy shop.
I will link this to:
Rednesday at It's A Very Cherry World
Vintage Thingy Thursday at Coloradolady
Go and visit these wonderful blogs.

17 comments:

  1. That is SO cute. I don't have any information other than the fact that my grandmother used to do all sorts of embroidery, including that. My sister has most of the pieces. But that is just darling, Sherry!

    XO,

    Sheila :-)

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  2. In the late 50's my grandma made me a green checked skirt with a border of this embroidery around the bottom.

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  3. Beautiful apron! There was a brief "revival" of chicken scratch in the 1980s - I did several pieces and still have the Leisure Arts booklets. It's always done on gingham, because the designs use the dark, medium and light squares.

    and Beautiful blog, too!

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  4. Hi, Sherry! Your apron matches the gal in the Rednesday pic! ♥

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  5. I have an apron like this, and it's one of my all-time favorites! You took such beautiful pictures of yours, and I really enjoyed learning about the other names for Chicken Scratch embroidery. I had no idea!
    Happy REDnesday!
    Carol

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  6. I just love what you did with it by placing it on the chair like that..I have two of these (one was a gift from a fellow follower of my blog and subscriber of my youtube channel)..the other one was a yard sale find. Thanks for the information on this apron. I adore adore aprons.

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  7. What a cute apron & like how you display it on the chair!

    Happy to hear you liked by book bundles.

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  8. Thanks for educating me! I have just one like it in yellow that was my grandmother's!

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  9. Regardless of what it is called. it is a lovely little apron. If it has anything to do with the Amish it is a nice piece of work.

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  10. What a lovely apron! Thanks for putting a name to that kind of needlework. I have several aprons and even a pillow but just didn't know the name.
    Hope you are having a wonderful week!
    Fondly,
    Ann
    @
    The Tattered Tassel

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  11. Very pretty. And RED!
    I once had a blue one that was very similar-it disappeared in one of our moves. :(
    Oh, well, that leaves room for more thrifting, I suppose!
    Happy VTT!

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  12. Great apron! I used to have one that someone gave me, but I don't know whatever happened to it:-(

    Jocelyn
    http://justalittlesouthernhospitality.blogspot.com

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  13. What a wonderful little apron! This embroidery is quite appealing, I can see why this style had a revival in the 80's.

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  14. I love your apron! I shared a cross-stiched apron a couple of months ago. It was made by the "church ladies" at the church where my father was Curate in the mid-60's. All of their aprons were apparently very detailed and they were very proud of their work.

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  15. I love Chicken Scratch! I've been googling it all night. I'd love to try some on little girl dresses!

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