A Spot of Tea

Several of us treated ourselves to lunch at a Tea Room in Mullica Hill, NJ.   It was Amelia's Tea Room.   But alas, they are closing on April 30th so no point for me to add details or a hyperlink to their website.

Our field trip was for guild members to join Betsy Morgan  for the day before our class with her on Saturday.







If you have never been to a tea room, you are missing out.   What an elegant, relaxing, enjoyable way to spend the afternoon.

Attention to detail right down to the napkin rings.

The food was delicious.   And we left there quite satisfied and very full.

Following tea, we went to the Gloucester County Historical Society to see their current exhibit, White Lace and Promises:  Bridal Gowns from 19th and 20th century.   Please click on the link above for more information on this Gloucester County treasure.

These are the front doors to the museum.  I forever marvel at the detail of woodwork of years ago.   The detail, the precision, all without computers and the internet!  Handwork of another kind.  

Below, is the wedding dress of Fannie Mae Watson, married to Edward Bradway in March of 1882.  This is the show stopper.

Above, her under pinnings; below the bead work was  exquisite.  This must have been a heavy gown.

They are quite lucky to have all these pieces to make this a new complete set.

The hand sewn wedding gown from the wedding of Eunice and Ephraim Goulding from 1818.  Before the Victorian Era, wedding dressed were not necessarily white.   Girls often had a new Sunday dress made for the wedding.

These are the embroidered shoes worn by Eunice Goulding at her wedding.

This groom's vest, sparkled with the gold thread work embroidery.

Hair combs and other pieces of finery.

From 1911, the gown of Laura DeHart who married William Elmer Haines on June 1st.  On the piano is Laura's wedding portrait.

Wedding accessories from 1808.

The trio below are the wedding dress, the going away dress and bridesmaid dress for the wedding of Mary Elizabeth Holstrum when she married Oliver G. Rose, Jr.  in 1960

Much of the charm of the display was the pairing with the actual wedding photos and seeing the dresses captured on the wedding days.

This one was truly beautiful and maybe my favorite.....if it is possible to have a favorite.

Another gown with a bridal portrait.

Onto the Civil War era.   This is made entirely of hair.   It may seem gross but it was quite common to create from hair.

A civil war era dress.

The 3rd regiment flag from the civil war.   Following a battle, the name of the battle was stitched on the flag.   This flag would not have been in battle but kept in the hometown of the soldiers.

One of three fabulous dioramas.   This one of a civil war battle.

An actual chair from the Ford Theater at the time when President Lincoln was assassinated in the Ford Theater.

Now, a bit of stitching in the sampler room.   The Museum has a sizable collection of samplers from stitchers from the county and south Jersey.  Not only is their collection lovely, they are very fortunate that their employee, Patty H. charts them for sale.   Many of the samplers have already been charted and are available for purchase at the museum.

Above is the Sarah Fortiner (1802-1858)   Patty H. is on the process of charting this sampler for sale.  A number of us were interested in this sampler when the charted has been completed.  

Two 19th century samplers, the bottom of which is a Westown Sampler

The wedding theme carried into the children's display.  A bride doll below.

And ring bearer and flower girl dress with the photo of the wedding party.

Back downstairs, we were in the roaring twenties.

The beaded bags were fabulous.

Flapper style wedding gown.

Sequined hat.

Another pretty hat.....

From the 1950's, the wedding gown of Nancy Garrett who married William McMaster in September of  1955.

Again, the absolute awesomeness to have photographs from the wedding day.

This seems a bit short because it is missing a tier.   The tier is removed when the first child is to be born and it is used to make the bassinet skirt.  What a neat idea.   

It was a great day.   So much detail and a large lovely collection of wedding dresses.  Patty H. (and the others) are meticulous about researching the origins and details of the dresses, the samplers and all the other items in the museum.   It is truly a hidden secret destination and a great day trip.

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March Meeting

DVHSG was treated to Jennifer Lackovic and her mother, Sharon, (of Button Babes) at our March meeting who spoke on “The Wonderful World of Buttons”.  Both women are members of the National Button Society.   They shared many examples of vintage buttons from their collection and had a selection of buttons for sale. Very interesting and very informative!  

The Pennsylvania Button Society is having their convention in Myerstown, PA on April 21 and 22. If you are interested in details on this show, visit their website at 

www.pabuttonsociety.org. 

Members were encouraged to bring their pieces where buttons were used.

Francine's Red Bird with Buttons.

Francine shared her completed "Button Book" from a Sherry Jones class.    It is truly a beautiful work and collection.   I am sure Francine had fun searching and collecting the various buttons.

What an exquisite piece to stitch and share with us.   As always, Francine's work is impeccable!

Stitched by Pat Y.

Stitched by Karen K. 

More with buttons from Francine.  She used tiny red
buttons to replace stitches in the border for this Catherine Theron design.

From Pat Y. this is from Drawn Thread.   Quite a difference from their sampler like patterns.

Other finishes by members.

Snooty Parrots, stitched by Kathy R.

Sampler by Patty H.

Don't forget, Betsy Morgan will be attending our April Meeting.   Prior to the Saturday meeting and class, we are planning a field trip on Friday to Finkel's in Philadelphia.  (More info will follow.) During our regular meeting, she will demo tassel making.  In the afternoon, she will be teaching a piece she created for Loudon Sampler Guild.   She has modified it slightly using a Delaware Blue Hen and blue fabric for the lining.  Don't forget your pre-stitching!   Members are encouraged to attend the meeting even if they do not wish to participate in the tassel making.    

Other news -

Robin T. started a stitch-a-long in February. The piece is the Corsica River Sampler (reproduction by Barbara Hudson). The piece features blackwork and Assisi work.  A Facebook group page has been created - Corsica River Stitch A Long.  A generous two-year schedule has been set up.  If you want to participate and need the pattern or threads, they are available at Salty Yarns. 

Woodlawn Exhibit is continuing through the month of March. The exhibit is open every day except Tuesday. [http://www.woodlawnpopeleighey.org/annualneedleworkshow/]
Congratulations to members of our group that entered pieces and received recognition.  

o   First Place: Theresa B.

o   Second Place: Amy G. and Stacy S.

o   Honorable Mention: Karen K.

Rehoboth Museum Exhibit will be held in May.  Several members have also entered pieces there.  

As always, check out Salty Yarns for  upcoming classes and seminars, check out Salty Yarns (http://saltyyarns.com/). Coming soon—Sherrie Jones in April, and Betsy Morgan in June. 

Also check out Strawberry Sampler’s Facebook page for information on classes. They have amended their shop hours to Tuesday – Saturday, 10:00 to 3:00.

Special thanks for Caryl C. and Lynn D. who so thoroughly shared the meeting information we me as I was not at the March Meeting.   They were timely in getting me the information, and I apologize for the delay in posting.

Until next time......keep calm and stitch on.