Oh my gosh, today is a a Wonderful Day, because I see that this morning, Erica Wilson Nantucket has started to post segments from Erica Wilson’s 1971 television series “Erica”, originally produced by PBS. Erica Wilson was the “First Lady of Stitchery” in the 1960s and 1970s — The Needlecrafts Goddess. She published at least 16 books and starred in two television series. She died in December — please see my comprehensive online biography and guide to Erica Wilson’s life and work. I am stunned and ecstatic with amazement at the opportunity to view these videos — this is going to be the best thing ever! In this first video, the amazing Ms. Wilson shows us how to stitch an owl. She stitched an owl like this onto a rocking chair designed by her husband Vladimir Kagan.
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She says she named the owl on the rocking chair “Belinda”. She also shows us a wall hanging / room divider that she made. She is very funny, she calls the fabric that she used for the wall hanging ‘dirty green’ or some such. I am rushing to get this story out — I will have to go back and watch and start writing down the “Erica-isms.” I also will be tracking down the back story on the posting of these videos. How many will we see???!!! I am so excited, I am using exclamation points, which I reserve only for the Most Important and Exciting News.
Marjie says
No doubt Wilson’s needlework is beautiful.I’m sorry to hear of her passing. I remember how shocked my own mother was about the prices of the materials Wilson used.In our home, we “crafted” because we didn’t have the disposable income to buy ready made and spending hard earned dough for a kit was something that never happened.
Caryn says
Fabulous!!! Thank you for sharing, I went on youtube last night and watched all (only three) of these videos I could find. I am determined this year to learn crewel embroidery, and even have some vintage kits ready and waiting in my craft room. I LOVED watching these videos and will probably be referring back to them!!