Nowadays we’re always talking about whatever’s trending, whether it’s Rainbow Loom projects or Washi tape. We creative types rarely pause to look back, because we want to come up with the next big thing. However, there are lessons to be learned from the vintage crafts of yesteryear.
For our celebration of nostalgia this week, we want to take a walk through some of the top vintage craft trends that kept our grandmothers and mothers busy. #DoYouRemember these captivating vintage crafts?
Crafts of the past emphasized practicality and frugality. Many crafters took up skills like sewing or crocheting simply because these hobbies benefited their families, whereas today it’s not as needed – you can get a cheap winter hat at Wal-Mart.
Crafts were also useful for making your home more ‘lived-in’ – people had more homemade decor instead of the latest pop-art print from Target. My parents certainly have a lot of family-made crafty artwork in their home from my great aunts. Most everyone has a homey vintage quilt around.
Looking back on these vintage crafts, you’ll probably think of certain family members, specific craft pieces that you’ve come across, or your own experiences with these kinds of crafts. Please share your memories in the comments. We’d love to hear about your craft nostalgia!
5 Vintage Crafts From Yesteryear
Embroidery
Embroidery is coming back into fashion with modern twists that usually play off the pleasantry of this craft. We see lots of funny ‘rude’ embroidery artwork now. In the past, though, it was all about delicate flowers and feminine artistry.
Crafting with Noodles
Noodles are the ORIGINAL cheap craft. Can’t beat ’em!
Cross-Stitch
Cross-stitch was once in vogue… modern stitching tends to go rogue.
- Mini Cross-Stitch Quilt (for decor)
Plastic Canvas Crafts
I remember making these in good old Girl Scouts. Talk about a throwback!
Crochet Doilies
Doilies gave crochet an old-timey reputation for quite a while. Still, there’s room in this world for crochet doilies.
Share your vintage craft memories!
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Before computers we all had time to do more, including crafts. I always enjoyed working with my hands. I won a prize in the Fredericksburg Texas Fair for my embroidery while in high school. This Fair is the oldest continuous running fair in Texas. I also did some basket weaving in Girl Scouts, which I enjoyed. I don’t know if you would call this a craft or not, but I sewed a lot of my clothes while I was in high school and continued to do that, I made my son a suit while he was about 5 years old, made a lot of clothes for me and my children. I tried my hand at oil painting when I was an adult, loved it, but did not do much of it, got too busy with working full time and raising a family. I guess I am writing too much, but that is another thing I enjoy. Thanks for the opportunity.
have done most of these, love using pasta and have used that craft in many kids groups, also beans having to always watch the pennies. My Mother did a lot of embroidery. My sister just put together some embroidered blocks into a quilt that Mom did before she passed away.
I will always remember back in the 1940’s, my mom crocheting doilies for our end, coffee tables. Also for the arms of our chairs and the backs of our couch and chairs. Yes, they were passed down to me and I now use them. I remember her starching them so when she ironed them they were very stiff the way she wanted them.
As a youngster, I can remember learning from both my mother & grandma, how to
fringe the edges of a table cloth & napkins. The material was usually checked. Made a
few of those. Both of my grandmas did something with yarn. My father’s mother would
make doilies by the hour, for arms of chairs, backs of chairs & for couches. She never
taught me how to crochet. My mother’s mother did knitting at the time, & she did
teach me how. Since then I’ve learned to crochet, made all different things over the years. When my children were little & money was tight, I made clothes for them & myself. I don’t sew as much as I use to, but would love to find time to so again.
I learned so much from my Mom, grandma and sister. I love to sew, knit, crochet and I also love do mixed media. I no longer have these beautiful women in my life, but I do have a lot of their homemade things. I cherish every memory of them teaching me how to make things with my hands! ! !