Of course, she makes it look soooo easy. Why do I think my attempt would be a bloody mess.
“Understand the principle of it,” she says as she does a wicked complicated loopy thingie stitch, “you’ll be able to remember it easily.”
Ha. I love the video nonetheless. Erica Wilson is so gracious, so soothing, stitchery is a quiet pastime — and who couldn’t use more quiet. Is she doing these shows in one take? That’s all the more amazing. And, I love hearing her talk about all the fancy knots and stitches — in this video, we get encroaching goblars (?), tent stitch, turkey work. This gives me more appreciation for the vintage needlework I have collected for my house.
Finally, these videos really take me back to a day when women seemed to have more time — no: when they seemed to find more time — to create pillows and purses and tennis racket covers and yes, even dog collars — with love, from scratch, with the idea that they are creating beloved family possessions. I don’t think we’ve really “needed” to make our own blankets or pillows for well over a hundred years — the Industrial Revolution mostly solved for that. No: We make these things by hand out of love, out of a need to create, and from a need to connect with our surroundings. My most valued possession is the granny square afghan my Lur Lur (my grandmother) made for me when I was about 10. It has no monetary value. It is priceless.
Thanks to Erica Wilson Nantucket for permission to feature this video here on Retro Renovation. You can see more of the series on YouTube.
Update: I found this portfolio of Wilson’s shows from WGBH on Open Vault.
I adore Erica Wilson. Here are some of my other stories about her:
- All about Erica Wilson’s TV show — she and Julia Child were studio-neighbors.
- Erica Wilson needlework — from her personal collection.
- Bobbie learns bargello from Erica Wilson and Margaret Boyles.
- My Erica Wilson biography and comprehensive online guide.
Erica Wilson Kits on ebay — abundant
A selection of Erica Wilson needlework kits are available at Erica Wilson Needlecraft. In addition, you can find them on ebay. Tip to using the ebay carousel: To go to a particular item, click on its photo (NOT on the ebay logo) — then, click on the lime green “View and Bid” box, which will take you to ebay. Disclosure: When you buy anything from these ebay carousels or after you click into ebay here, it nets me a teensy commission.