Angels Sing Thee to Thy Rest

 

This embroidered image was previously published to my website and I'd also made a pattern of it for sale. The design originates from Victorian times and is a quote from Shakespeare's "Hamlet" - "May flights of angels sing thee to thy rest." 

I was delighted to find a suggestion for this design in "Godey's Lady's Book," November 1879. They list it as a "Design for Pillow-Sham." A pattern is given in their Supplement. They say that the design may be worked in "outline, crewel, or in linen."  The design could be used in making a baby's blanket.

The first time I saw this particular design was on a very soiled textile I bought in Bethel, Maine. I took it home, washed it, and the image you see here is the embroidered textile I created. At the point of collection, I wondered if the one I bought had been used to drape a coffin. It's a mystery I'll never uncover. The reproduction is featured in my book, Redwork Embroidery and Needlework Traditions in Europe and America, now out of print.

Mystery Redwork Design

Mystery Redwork Image

In the past I have led two online groups related to Redwork Embroidery in which members and I shared information and resources. I am writing this essay today in the hope that someone who was a part of those groups could solve a mystery. A piece of Redwork was mad that is based on a photograph which says "1918" and signed "love, Vergie." Ofcourse, 1918 was a war year. The first World War was taking place. The photo shows a woman standing while holding a large "Mother" pillow.

Source for a Redwork design made by unknown person

Someone on that list apparently used the photo to come up with a Redwork design which she posted. I do not know that person's name. Her online name was "cactus_pearl."

"In Memory of my trip to the Hawaiian Islands" says
 this photo of a silk pillow cover, framed and under glass.

My book Sweetheart & Mother Pillows was published in December 2011. My book shows that the pillow covers made during World War I were exceedingly larger than those made during the following World War or the years of the C.C.C.

Adapted design based on the images above, drawn by unknown maker

This is a piece of Redwork that I made.

 I thought it great fun to combine two of my major textile interests together: Redwork and Sweetheart & Mother Pillows. I would still like to know who was responsible for sharing these images on my list. I would love to hear the story that accompanied them, again. My e-mail address is quiltersmuse@gmail.com.

June 16, 2014 Update

A miniature quilt with a handkerchief pocket, "bees," and a photo of a portion the original postal card.

Here is the finished piece I made, front and back.

Photo of the back of the mini-quilt I made

The back of the mini-quilt looks like this. I made this little quilt to preserve the image which is just so charming! Someday I hope to reconnect with whomsoever posted the image to my yahoo list on Redwork.
What a fun little project on a summer's day!