Description:
Partial preperatory embroidery pattern for a table runner in the collection of Historic Deerfield (HD 88.073), which was produced for Dorothy Wise Smead (1900-1988). The pattern for the design was likely drawn out for her by one of the Society’s founders, Margaret Whiting. The pattern, showing a basket of flowers, contains the design's outline as well as instructions for embroidery colors and type of stitches such as "Deerfield, Mass. Blue and White pattern." "Sometimes use gray instead of white for ...[illeg.]." This pattern is an important link to the design process practiced by members of the Deerfield Society of Blue and White Needlework. Smead may have made this large table runner at the very end of the Society’s existence, and whose piece was accepted by the founders as evidenced by the Society's seal. The comparison of both rare survivals illustrates the creative process that took place within the group.
Label Text:
Needlework Pattern Fragment Possibly Margaret C. Whiting or Ellen Miller Deerfield, Massachusetts, c. 1920-1926 Paper and colored pencil
Bequest of Dorothy Wise Smead, 1988.074
Table Runner Possibly Dorothy Wise Smead (1900-1988) Deerfield, Massachusetts, c. 1920-1926 Unbleached, plain weave linen, polychrome linen embroidery, and ink Bequest of Dorothy Wise Smead, 1988.073
Smead may have wrought this large table runner at the very end of the Society’s existence. The pattern for the design was likely drawn out for her by one of the Society’s founders. The comparison of both rare survivals illustrates the creative process that took place within the group. Colors and stitches seen in the pattern served as a guide to Smead, whose piece was accepted by the founders, as evidenced by the Society's seal that appears at one end.
Link to share this object record:
https://museums.fivecolleges.edu/detail.php?t=objects&type=ext&id_number=HD+88.074 |
