Updayed June 2, 2023.
This design is from a 1938 magazine packed full of stitched needlepoint designed by Anne Orr. The scallop here has been recharted for you.
You might be wondering who Ann was. Born in 1869, she was a lifelong resident of Nashville. Both in her position at several women’s magazines and through her own business, Anne Orr Studios, she created delightful designs for many kinds of needlework, including needlepoint, crewel, tatting, cross stitch, and embroidery. She is best known for her distinctive quilting designs, which often featured central appliques.
I first came across her many years ago through a collection of her designs published by Dover. It is no longer in print, but you can find used copies. I also have this magazine in my files. There are very few charts in it; most of the patterns need to be stitched (or charted) from the clear photos of the work.
Most of these patterns are multi-colored, large-scale patterns designed as backgrounds and borders. Some of them can be translated to Bargello; others, such as today’s, make great individual motifs.
This design is for a scallop she (click on the picture for a larger chart). The outline and base thread (solid triangles and thin x’s on the chart) should be consistent throughout your design. The fill color (open triangles on chart) can be any color you like. The design is 30 threads wide and 28 threads high, making it about 1.75″ on 18 mesh.
About Janet M Perry
Janet Perry is the Internet's leading authority on needlepoint. She designs, teaches and writes, getting raves from her fans for her innovative techniques, extensive knowledge and generous teaching style. A leading writer of stitch guides, she blogs here and lives on an island in the northeast corner of the SF Bay with her family
Thanks for giving us some history on Ann Orr. Over the years I have collected several of the Dover publications and still enjoy looking at her designs. Although many of her designs were created decades ago, they are still are appealing to today’s needleworker.