Pennsylvania Christmas Deer

These pincushions were inspired by a Pennsylvania show towel from 1834 in Theresa's collection. These lovely samplers were completed by young women in the Pennsylvania German community to decorate the home and display their needlework skills. These samplers are often very long - this particular one measures almost two yards. It is decorated in a little cross stitch and a lot of cutwork with a braided fringe. the name is not indicated, but the initials "CK" appear on part of the sampler. "Mabel Peiffer" is stamped onto the front of the towel; she may have been a previous owner of the towel. 

Stitched on 36ct. Aztec Red by Weeks Dye Works using DMC Ecru. Finished with Olive Chenille by Lady Dot Creates.