Candlewicking

This picture isn't very good, but I took it from the website to show you what I am going to be working on. Years ago I learned and taught classes in candlewicking. I worked at a little store in my town and we did a promotion on this craft. The floss, needles, patterns and kits were ordered and we had to learn how to do it in a short time. I caught on right away, so that by the time the big order came...I was ready to teach the customers ...free of charge...if they bought their supplies from us. The big day came and the UPS man delivered this big box of supplies. We had purchased books telling us of this craft and it's origins.We set up a table in the window and had a couple of chairs there. We would sit in the window display and I would teach the customers. Candlewicking dates back to pioneer days. Because Americans traveling across the prairies in covered wagons had little room for anything except the barest necessities, fine fabric and thread were often left behind. Additionally, once settlers arrived to new territories, resources were often scarce or hard to obtain. Settlers embroidered hats, quilts, bedspreads, pillowcases, and any number of other items using thread meant for making candle wicks, and calico or canvas for fabric.Today, most of the candlewicking is done on white or creamy colored muslin. The supplies are not as easy to find as years ago. The craft has fallen from popularity, but in my little town years ago...everyone was candlewicking.I have two pillows in my guest bedroom...done by my Mom at that time.  So this brings me to the reason for this post. We have a grandson getting married in October and I've been racking my brain thinking of a little personal gift from me. Some handwork that I can do this summer, while sitting on my porch. The girl he is marrying is a young woman, who is interested in things like this. She always comments on my knitting and other projects going and even bought me a latch hook kit for my birthday this year. I plan to do this wedding "sampler type" project using the candlewicking technique along with crewel embroidery. I'm a bit rusty on doing the "colonial" knot and crewel stitches, so I bought a book from Amazon to help me...if I need it. I will be working on this project exclusively this summer. When it's finished I will have it matted and framed with non glare glass. I have 5 months to finish it...I hope that I can pick up on this old timey craft. I also hope that my eyes will cooperate and let me finish it.

Balisha