17-year-old Helena Muffly wrote exactly 100 years ago today:
Sunday, January 26, 1913: Went to Sunday School this afternoon. Besse was out.
Her middle-aged granddaughter’s comments 100 years later:
Grandma’s sister Besse was married and lived in nearby Watsontown. Sometimes Besse brought needlework or sewing along when she came to visit. For example, on August 9, 1912 Grandma wrote:
We had sort of s sewing bee here today. Besse was out and brought some of her stuff along.
On this January day, a hundred years ago, perhaps the sisters did cross-stitching while they chatted.
A Hundred Years Ago 
Thanks for bringing back some great memories of my Grandma tonight. I have several of the items that she embroidered over the years. I also have several cross stitch items from my Mom and sister.
I can remember some beautiful cross-stitch pillow cases that we had when I was a child.
Handiwork was such an important part of “leisure” time in those preTV days.
Years ago I used to do some embroidery. Doing posts like this one make me want to do it again–but somehow I never seem to find time.
I was never great at it and now my eyes are not keeping up -too many hours on the computer 🙂
Yes, indeed! My mother always had a crochet needle in her hand when she was sitting (and taught me to crochet when I was a child). My aunt embroidered pillow cases year-round.
I’m sure it’s nice for you to think of your grandma and her family enjoying a quiet Sunday afternoon together!
I also had relatives who always seemed to be crocheting, tatting, or embroidering. They always gave the most lovely wedding and shower gifts.
I’ll bet that’s when they did some of their best talking. Sort of like today;s version of discussing something with a teenager, You have to get them while they are in the car and “can’t” make eye contact. Bet it was the same with embroidery needles and crochet hooks flying
I bet you’re right! It makes sense that it would be a good time for conversations with a teen.
I recently started to learn how to cross stitch. It’s great fun! 🙂
Cool! It sounds like fun. I need to find time to do some handiwork. 🙂
Lovely! This gave my day a lovely start!
Thanks for the nice note. It’s always wonderful to hear when someone particularly enjoys a post.
All your posts are great, actually, but I love old needlework, so this was a special treat.
It’s so good to see that lately there’s been an increasing popularity among young/old/middle/ and everything in between in different crafts like sewing, quilting, crocheting, etc. Fun!
I agree! It is fun to see the wonderful things that some of my friends and neighbors make.
Do you happen to have anything she made? That would be a real treat!
I have a old handmade quilt that belonged to her. I’m not sure whether or not she made it.
I admire those who crochet and have several homemade pieces. A hundred years ago I wonder if they knew what great heirlooms they were making for our generation to admire?
Thanks for sharing this. How lovely. I enjoy needlework, when I can get to it. I’m currently working on a replica of a PA girl from early 1800’s. I’m halfway done. Should be done in another year or two;)
The replica sounds lovely. Patience (and persistence) is the key with handicrafts. 🙂
I know many people still make beautiful stitched items but it’s becoming a lost art. When we were in Venice, we took a boat over to the island of Buranno, they are famous for traditional lace work, all done by hand. I bought a very very small item. I can’t imagine how long it takes to make the table clothes or bed covers…amazing.
I’ve never hears of Buranno before, but it sounds like someplace I’d enjoy.