Vintage Needlepoint that still Looks Chic

Those of us who remember the 1970’s can probably think of many things they would not want to see again. My husband, for example, loathes brown cars. I’m not fond of those clashing overly bright colors. Even so I started needlepointing in 1970 and still have an abiding love of vintage needlepoint books.

Some of them, Alphagraphics (reviewed here) have much of what you’d expect from the period, but others, such as Maggie Lane’s books, are timelessly chic. In fact you can still buy painted canvases with many of her lovely designs in colors similar to the original.

The blog The Peek of Chic looks at projects from several designers and stitchers at the time and shows how lovely and chic they can be.

Let’s think about what makes these designs timeless:

• They relie on classic, somewhat muted color schemes. Some colors, for example celadon green, always look good, but avocado looks dated.
• They use motifs that are classic. Think of Maggie Lane’s simple Chinese crests.
• Inspiration comes from the natural world. Gartner’s malachite table may be in colors that are less popular today but because it’s a needlepoint of a natural rock, it stays chic.
• They don’t buy into what’s trendy. While retro can be cool, as can be vintage, slavishly following the trends also makes your stitching dated. I can’t help thinking about Erica Wilson’s Bargello boots here.
• They use restraint, not too many colors, not too many motifs.

Come back Monday to see Lou Gartner’s two books as my books of the month.

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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

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