This is the first and one of the few pieces of embroidery I ever did. I clearly remember going with my Mom to Mattingly's Five and Dime store to pick out a stamped image to embroider. I was eight or nine years old at the time. The image was stamped on the constructed pot holder which made it impossible to place in an embroidery hoop. I was attracted to the image of the little girl. I didn't understand what the message, "But I can cook." implied. I think it likely that Mom demonstrated the outline stitch to me as she worked on one of the redwork towels featured below.
The redwork pictured below was done by my mother. These were done using the Aunt Martha Hot Iron Transfers. They were probably part of the Animated Dish Motifs #3825 created by this company. At one time Aunt Martha was part of the The Workbasket Magazine. Mom probably completed these in the early to mid-1960s. When done they were stored in a "hope chest" for my future home. Except for some yellowing due to age and a few stains from improper storage they are in pristine condition. My mother didn't have much time for such handwork and I could never bring myself to use these in my kitchen. They are too precious to be used wiping dishes.
The appliqued and embroidered towels pictured below were done by my paternal grandmother. I'm not sure when she would have made these. I found similar designs on the internet dated from 1920-1940. By 1953 my grandparents were running a resturant. I spent much of my childhood there. I don't ever remember Granny doing embroidery but she was always busy sewing or knitting. My aunt gave these to me after she found them cleaning out my grandparent's home. Even though the towels depict Sunbonnet Sue engaged in household chores these too are precious to me because my grandmother made them.