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Stitching & Crafting Room:  Vintage Black 'Funeralia Fabrics'  |
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CabinCreek-Kentucky
True Blue Farmgirl
8529 Posts
Frannie
Green County
Kentucky
USA
8529 Posts |
 Posted - Jan 29 2006 : 2:22:51 PM
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i collect 'funeralia' fabrics .. victorian black ladies dresses ... hats, gloves, hankies, shawls .. and i've had two 'casket covers' .. one was in tattered condition .. so i cut it up and made 'black dollies' from it. i have another one .. but have not had the heart to cut it up .. i would rather donate it to a museum. a couple pictures of a victorian shawl, victorian piano cover and my 'casket cover'.
piano cover .. guess i didn't take a picture of the shawl .. but it is pretty much the same .. they tend to be a little 'heavier' in weight.
the edgings are fantastic for hair on a black dolly
and this is my casket cover .. it is about 9 or 10 feet long
oh .. and the 'deck' is the one that my friend is building for us .. it runs the length of the 'addition' between the two cabins .. i think we're having the floor painted a muted forest green .. and the wall behind it will be our 'signature' barn red. it will have a tin roof .. and logs from the woods for the railings and stone steps from the creekbed .. and it looks to the back of the house into the forest.
the fringe on the casket cover:
somewhat bizarre collection .. i know .. but i love all the olde BLACK fabrics ... and death is indeed a part of life!
True Friends, Frannie |
Edited by - CabinCreek-Kentucky on Jan 29 2006 2:24:35 PM |
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junebug
True Blue Farmgirl
2421 Posts
Sue
West Plains,
Mo.
USA
2421 Posts |
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farmgrlchick
True Blue Farmgirl
439 Posts
Theresa
Columbus
Montana
USA
439 Posts |
Posted - Jan 29 2006 : 3:52:53 PM
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What a fantastic collection. I never thought to collect casket covers..... what great treasures...
Theresa |
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Photobugs
True Blue Farmgirl
363 Posts
Pamela
Post Falls
Idaho
USA
363 Posts |
Posted - Jan 30 2006 : 7:55:32 PM
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Kinda morbid and creepy...but oh so fun at the same time! I never even gave any thought to a casket cover. I probably would not have known one if I saw it. I would have thought it was a table cloth or a piano cover. :)
Pamela
"I scream, you scream, we all scream for ice cream!" |
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Jana
True Blue Farmgirl
482 Posts
Jana
Eau Claire
Wisconsin
USA
482 Posts |
Posted - Jan 31 2006 : 12:52:25 AM
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Interesting collection. It makes me think of a Victorian braided hair art piece I found in an antique shop. I didn't actually buy it, and as far as I know no one has, but I understand the hair of the dead was used in these as a sort of remembrance.
Jana |
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CabinCreek-Kentucky
True Blue Farmgirl
8529 Posts
Frannie
Green County
Kentucky
USA
8529 Posts |
Posted - Jan 31 2006 : 08:01:05 AM
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jana .. i have seen the most wonderful and elaborate HAIR jewelry and PICTURES in museums .. from time to time i found them (mostly up north) in antiques shoppes .. never bought a piece myself either .. i might add this to my list of things to add to my collection .. i wrote before of how victorians often had professional photos done of their 'dead' .. adults, children and infants. years ago, in denver, colorado .. i almost bought a huge collection of these photos .. but since they were mostly infants and children .. and i had two little girls .. i just couldn't bring myself to bring those home .. i sure wish now i had .. i do have ONE photo of a precious infant dressed in white with a black background. most often, these photos are taken with the person in the casket .. this child was 'propped' up. so sad. but .. as was told to me by a nurse that worked in the maternity department of a hospital .. more and more people TODAY are requesting these photos .. as THIS will be the only tangible proof that this child ever lived even if just for hours or days. she said a surprizing amount of families are having this done.
pamela, i do believe that we americans think of collecting anything surrounding our departed as morbid and creepy .. but just think of all we put into wanting to send our loved ones to heaven surrounded by beauty and with respect. i guess the 'respect' thing is the most important .. (hmmmmmmm .. i guess it is all how we look at it .. i take a 'casket cover' and rathe than just let it rot or be chewed by mice tucked in a trunk somewhere .. i 'recycle' it into dolls. bringing a piece of that death experience back to life again. well, anyhoo, that's how i sure like looking at it. i feel the same about using 'cloth' that was once worn by someone or covered them at night as a quilt that time has tattered ... turning it into something that can once again be used and loved.
True Friends, Frannie |
Edited by - CabinCreek-Kentucky on Jan 31 2006 08:04:07 AM |
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Nancy Gartenman
True Blue Farmgirl
9094 Posts
Nancy
West Seneca
New York
USA
9094 Posts |
Posted - Jan 31 2006 : 11:41:24 AM
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Frannie,
Thats true I have seen pictures from years ago that were taken after someone died. I also know of a few people that have taken pictures of infants that only lived a few hours, Was hard for me to look at, but I told them what beautiful babies, they seemed to need this.
On a lighter note, your doll class and pictures you posted were great. sos much fun to look at.
I think I put it on a site someplace, but if you didn't see it, I mailed your sunflower tablecloth out yesterday.
Iam trying to finish a quilt top so I can tea stain it,DON'T KNOW HOW A PERSON CAN BE BORED, SO MUCH TO DO.
Nancy Jo |
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Photobugs
True Blue Farmgirl
363 Posts
Pamela
Post Falls
Idaho
USA
363 Posts |
Posted - Jan 31 2006 : 5:47:31 PM
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I actually have a family photo on a photocard of a one of my great-grandmother's children. The baby is propped up on a black or dark quilt and just looks like it is sleeping. The thing is that my grandmother never really mentioned that she had a sibling die as an infant to her children. So when this photo was found my mom and her siblings knew nothing about it. I had asked my grandmother to write down her family genealogy and she mentioned this baby in what she wrote. Of course, I have this piece of paper and cherish it.
Frannie, does this photo qualify as collecting funeralia?
I agree, Nancy Jo...so much to do so little time! Of course I have to spend an hour a day on this forum...:) gotta know what's goin' on with everyone ya know. Just like sitting arond the quiltin' frame gabbin' I guess.
Pamela
"I scream, you scream, we all scream for ice cream!" |
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CountryGirl85
True Blue Farmgirl
225 Posts
Laura
Oswego
IL
USA
225 Posts |
Posted - Feb 02 2006 : 9:32:54 PM
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Very interesting! I never would have thought to collect these kinds of things either! I think it's wonderful that you create something new and lively out of something that is associated with death. It's the circle of life at it's finest! A reincarnation of fabric. It's a reminder that life goes on, in some form or another, forever. Energy never dies, just changes form. Whether we turn into angels or are born into another life or live for eternity in a wonderful place, I do not know for certain, but I do know that death brings new life and new life is a wonderful thing. Our souls are the fabric of life, they can be torn, ripped, worn out, but they can be renewed by seeing those imperfections as a life well lived and realize that tattered fabric is the same fabric that will help create and inspire future generations. Whoa, totally didn't mean to go off on a tangent like that! I've never seen pictures like those and it's a bittersweet thought to have pictures like that of your loved ones. I do always love looking through old pictures at antique stores. It gets me thinking about all those people. Who were they? What did they do? What were their lives like? Do they have any family left? What if this picture is all that's left of their physical life? I don't know! I think sometimes I think too much, but the history of everyday people is fascinating! Each and every person makes an impact on this world, not just the rich and famous. But I think I've gone on long enough! Thanks for letting me muse on this subject!
Much love,
Laura |
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Photobugs
True Blue Farmgirl
363 Posts
Pamela
Post Falls
Idaho
USA
363 Posts |
Posted - Feb 02 2006 : 9:59:29 PM
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Kinda along these same lines I do love to go into cemetaries and look at the headstones. The architecture on some of them is beautiful as well as the words inscribed on them. Some are like poetry. Sometimes I will take my walks in the cemetary and wonder what the people laying there were like or how they died.
I really love the old cemetaries the best. The headstones have moss growing on them. Some have weathered beautifully and their black patina is very cool.
Some people think it s weird that I like cemeteries, but I do have one friend who understands as she likes them too. So I guess it is not too odd.
Pamela
"I scream, you scream, we all scream for ice cream!" |
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CabinCreek-Kentucky
True Blue Farmgirl
8529 Posts
Frannie
Green County
Kentucky
USA
8529 Posts |
Posted - Feb 10 2006 : 2:20:21 PM
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pamela .. i love walking in olde cemetaries (or graveyards) as they used to be called. we have a 'family graveyard' in virginia .. only ONE headstone though .. the family decided to put brass plaques even with the ground .. keeping the grass trimmed neatly was important to them. the only headstone is my precious sister's 14 year old son .. and oh my goodness .. how time does pass so swiftly .. he would be in his 40's now! but he will ALWAYS be 14 in our memories.
have you ever done any 'graveyard' rubbings .. or any 'tombstone stitcheries'?
True Friends, Frannie |
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Photobugs
True Blue Farmgirl
363 Posts
Pamela
Post Falls
Idaho
USA
363 Posts |
Posted - Feb 10 2006 : 4:08:34 PM
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I have never done any rubbings, but I am making a trip to Oklahoma and Arkansas in March to do just that! I am going to visit my grand children for one week in Missouri and to work on genealogy the second week(Ark and Ok). I have never been gone from my home sweet home for this long before. Yikes! But I am flying my mom from California there as well and I am taking her to see her brothers headstone in Oklahoma. He was hit by a car when he was three(1936). The family could not afford a headstone then, so one of my uncles had one put up a few years back. I am taking my mom to see it as well as see relatives there. Of course the rubbings will be a part of the trip. I have taken numerous photos of headstones of family members, but have never done the rubbings. So I am excited to finally be doing this.
Now, what is a tombstone stitchery? This sounds wonderful, as I love to embroider. Is it done with embroidery? I am thrilled to know about this...please fill me in!
Thanks,Pamela
"I scream, you scream, we all scream for ice cream!" |
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Luzy
True Blue Farmgirl
922 Posts
Luanne
Pueblo
Colorado
USA
922 Posts |
Posted - Feb 10 2006 : 6:24:43 PM
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I'd like to also know what tombstone stitcheries are. Never heard of them. I did some rubbings back in high school in one of my art classes. Alot of kids were freaked out by it, but you know me... I LOVED it! I'm anxious to hear about the stitcheries! Thanks, Luzy
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May I always be the kind of person my dog thinks I am. |
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CabinCreek-Kentucky
True Blue Farmgirl
8529 Posts
Frannie
Green County
Kentucky
USA
8529 Posts |
Posted - Feb 10 2006 : 7:36:36 PM
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pamela .. i have read that there is a right way and a wrong way to do the rubbings .. actually, some cemetaries don't allow it at all .. for several reasons .. some see it as disrespectful and some say that if it is done a lot .. over time .. it wears down the headstone .. and some people actually get marks on the headstone by not doing it properly. when i get back on monday .. i'll see if i can find the info .. will probably have to 'google' it .. if someone can do it before monday and share it with us .. that would be great.
the stitcheries are a pattern booklet that i bought several years ago of drawings of tombstones .. you can probably find these in some books on the subject and of course, you can take your pencil and paper to a cemetary and draw what you see and transfer it to fabric to stitch. i'll give a good look-see for the book when i return. xo
True Friends, Frannie |
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SmallTownGirl
True Blue Farmgirl
117 Posts
Rose
USA
117 Posts |
Posted - Feb 10 2006 : 11:04:33 PM
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We went through our grandparents things after they passed away and found some very interesting things. They use to run the only funeral home in town and the ambulance service way back when. We also found some of those photos of the dead. Mostly children but one I remember was of a family, they had all died of the same disease. Now the funeral home has been turned into a couple apartments by someone else. I heard the embalming table is still there in the basement. Very interesting topic, I like the fabric you found Frannie.
By the time we've made it...we've had it. |
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Photobugs
True Blue Farmgirl
363 Posts
Pamela
Post Falls
Idaho
USA
363 Posts |
Posted - Feb 10 2006 : 11:18:32 PM
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I found this site:
www.ancestryprinting.com
Click on the headstone rubbings link on the left hand side and there are some good tips on how to do it. They seem to have quite a bit of experience at this.
I wonder how these would look framed? Kinda morbid, but cool too!
Pamela
"I scream, you scream, we all scream for ice cream!" |
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CabinCreek-Kentucky
True Blue Farmgirl
8529 Posts
Frannie
Green County
Kentucky
USA
8529 Posts |
Posted - Feb 11 2006 : 05:57:33 AM
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pamela .. thanks for that website .. if anyone tries this .. let us know!
True Friends, Frannie |
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CabinCreek-Kentucky
True Blue Farmgirl
8529 Posts
Frannie
Green County
Kentucky
USA
8529 Posts |
Posted - Feb 27 2006 : 07:42:26 AM
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friends .. i had mentioned that i have a 'stitchery' book on 'graveyard headstones' .. i "think" it is a booklet done by THIMBELBERRIES ... but i can't seem to find it by 'googling' it .. and i can't find my copy right now. not absolutely positive it is thembelberries .. but that seems to ring a bell .. does anyone have a copy of this .. or is anyone able to find it on the internet?
some of the girls have been e-mailing me about it .. would love to find it for them! xo
True Friends, Frannie |
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abbasgurl
True Blue Farmgirl
1262 Posts
Rhonda
USA
1262 Posts |
Posted - Feb 27 2006 : 7:40:37 PM
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The neighborhood I grew up in was separtated from the cemetery by a lovely meadow. I used to wade through the tall meadow grass to wander between the headstones, sometimes all afternoon! There was a beautiful old grotto with benches made entirely from small stones There. It sat in one corner under the drooping branches of some towering pines. It was one of my favorite places to spend an afternoon curled up with a book. Sounds odd, yes... but it was a very peaceful place to me.
I graduated from reading gravestones, to making rubbings when I was in high school. I even once made a plaster cast that is painted dark colors & hangs over our front door. My kids always thought the image was George Washington because of the hair style of the man depicted! LOL
I suppose these days copying some of that stuff would be frowned upon. Perhaps it would be best to ask permission before doing rubbings...or heaven forbid a cast! I appreciate the link that shows ways to do things without damaging the stones. I will go take a peek!
On a side note...it might be a good thing to have some of these things preserved. When I was in my twenties, vandals went into the cemetary in our small town during the night & broke up about 30 of the oldest stones. Such destruction is just unfathomable to me.
By the way Frannie... I couldn't get into the stitchery website either. Too bad, it sounded so wonderful!
Blessings,
Rhonda
...and I will sing at the top of my lungs, and I will dance, even if I'm the only one! |
Edited by - abbasgurl on Feb 27 2006 7:42:17 PM |
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CabinCreek-Kentucky
True Blue Farmgirl
8529 Posts
Frannie
Green County
Kentucky
USA
8529 Posts |
Posted - Feb 27 2006 : 9:26:15 PM
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i'm still researching where to find this booklet .. it might not be in print anymore .. i'm even beginning to wonder if 'mulberry folk art' is even in business anymore .. gonna' go on my 'delphi' boards and ask all the girls over there and will report back. AND .. i am determined to find my copy!!! xo
True Friends, Frannie |
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Stitching & Crafting Room: Vintage Black 'Funeralia Fabrics' |
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Vintage Black 'Funeralia Fabrics'
