Grandma Hausmann's Fine Stitching

This is my Grandmother, Catherine Hausmann. The Great-Great part was for an album for my Grandson. Below is some of her handiwork.





Yesterday I mentioned my Grandma's stitching so I thought I would share some of her work with you today. What she did wasn't Hardanger, although the process is similar. I believe I am correct in saying this type of embroidery is called "Cut work". I found some patterns that must be similar to what she used. The pattern was transfered to the material, stitched and then cut. Unlike Hardanger, there is no counting involved and once the pieces are cut out there is no more stitching involved.

Grandma's work was on a much finer material than I use. Both pieces are done on a fine linen in ecru with ecru thread. The thread is finer than what I use also. I wish I could find more of her work, but I'm afraid it has been lost over time. My mother used Grandma's doilies for 50 years. These two weren't used much and survived my mother's incessant cleaning. She did like to wash things!

Grandma was German, although in the back of my mind she was born in the US. I may be wrong. I know for certain Grandpa was born in Germany and came through Ellis Island on his was to Wisconsin where they lived in Milwaukee for a good portion of their lives. My mother and her 3 sisters were born and raised there. That is where Grandma tried, and failed to get my mother interested in sewing. I guess it skipped a generation. Grandma Hausmann would be proud to see me sitting here creating more pieces of beautiful linen to pass on to the generations. Provided that is, no one washes them to death like Mom did!