Pink Saturday

For those who don't know, Pink Saturday is hosted by Beverly . Go visit Beverly to find other pink blog goodies.
I have a small but treasured vintage tablecloth collection. I've pulled out the ones with some pink to show their loveliness.
I'm really particular when it comes to purchasing vintage tablecloths. First, they have to have little to no stains. I've found that holding it up to the sunlight will show stains that don't show at all when laying flat on a table. I want no sunlight stains! Second, the tablecloths have to be either hand-sewn embroidered or appliqued OR they have to be high quality fabric.

So this first one, I don't know what this type of fabric design is called, so maybe someone can help me ... It's one of those that when flipped over, it shows the opposite colors. Like in this picture, the roses are white on one side and the same rose is pink on the other.

I like this tablecloth because of the pretty hand-embroiderd flowers on all four corners. Those little yellow things ... I'm puzzled as to how they were made because they're like little ropes formed into a ball shape but it's obvious they were handsewn.

This tablecloth, I found at Goodwill for about $5. It's in absolultely pristine condition and the detailed applique on this is just amazing. Such tiny little stitches are used to attach all the flowers make my eyes hurt just to try to see them! I have matching napkins for this too!

Here's a closeup of the flowers and the detailed cross-stitched edging. I think little sewing elves with teeny tiny needles must have made this because I can't imagine anyone taking so much time to do this exquisite detailed work.

The one bad thing about this tablecloth is that the white fabric is just cheap cotton sheeting. I don't know why someone would take so much time doing such beautiful work and not want to have it done on quality fabric but I still love this tablecloth.

Here's another hand appliqued one. Again, the tiny sticthes just simply amaze me. It's a work of art. The stitching is done on gorgeous linen that is so thin and delicate, I'd be scared to wash this.

Here's a closeup of the detailed flowers ... look at those tiny rosebuds!

Gosh, I love this one!

And finally, this lovely tablecloth, done on beautiful linen fabric was a wedding gift from a family friend. She wasn't even a close family friend . I treasure this tablecloth because so much time and love went into making this ... just for us.

The embroidery on it is so beautiful. The picture shows the center of the tablecloth but it doesn't show all the handwork that is on each of the four corners as well.

Here's a closeup of the this work of art. The pink scallopped swirls are perfect satin stitching. Again, I could never ever do intricate work like this and I'm so amazed and appreciative of the time and eyesite that is involved with making this.

Now, there's one last pink thing that I'll share with you even though I'm not happy with it...

It's this wool pink rose that I made. I have this wool candle mat with roses design in my head that I really REALLY want to make, but I just can't get the rose petals to look right. Sure, it looks like a flower, but I want it to look REAL. I've tried all different ways to get a more lifelike looking rose, but this is the best I can come up with and it's just not good enough!

Now, Rachel, my daughter, whose sewing skills are limited to using my Aleen's tacky glue on fabric for her latest project, and saying "mom, can you fix this please?", suggested that the colors are wrong. She also suggested that I should tighten the center petals. I think she may be right, especially about tightening up the center a little more. So, it's back to the drawing board to try it one more time.

If it doesn't work out, I'll just have to settle for the easier rosebuds instead of the full bloom rose.

Happy Pink Day!