It was the creativity of it all and the fact that she could make something beautiful and functional. DeDe S. on her mom's sewing of this vintage sailboat tea towel 

{HISTORY}

During the 20th century, there was a woman of Italian heritage named Teresa who lived with her family on the Iron Range in Minnesota. A go-getter from the very beginning, Teresa made her skills in baking, sewing, and entrepreneurialism known right away as a young girl winning all sorts of awards and accolades for her talents during her school-age years.  After college and a degree earned in home economics, Teresa married, became a wife and a mother, and also a business owner, and a writer of a sewing column for her local newspaper. Making and designing clothing, draperies, and linens for area residents was Teresa's passion, and even though she was a devoted mom and a wife she was also devoted to her creative skills. This passion for self-expression is what fueled her sewing business, Teresina, which she ran while also raising her family through the 1950s. This vintage applique sailboat kitchen linen, hand-stitched by Teresa during those passion years, is just one example of her creative talents when it came to needlework. 

Recently we had the pleasure of interviewing Teresa's daughter who not only shared a bevy of stories about her mom's engaging life but also shared her linens. In an attempt to always credit sewers of the past whose needlework so often goes unacknowledged, we are completely thrilled to be able to attach a name, a face (her photo is included here along with a photo of her vintage shop ribbon!) and a story with this vintage linen. 

Beautifully executed, the two sailboats on this linen jauntily float along the water's surface accompanied by two sets of seagulls. Timeless and elegant, it is sized at 20.5" inches x 12.5" inches, which offers lots of options in the styling department. We love it especially for bar cart styling, tray liners and table display. But we also equally completely adore it for Teresa's story - threadworks of life in 20th century America that often go undocumented. Touched by hand, designed by heart, this is a linen that brings history home to your house via boat and beauty.  

{SPECIAL FEATURES}

- Handstitched

- Historic provenance

- Linen material with cotton with applique and embroidery threads

- Colors include blueberry, navy blue, slate grey and white

{CONDITION}

In gorgeous condition. No spots, stains, holes or pulled threads.

{SIZE}

Measures 20.5" inches (length)  x 12.5" inches (width)

{LEARN MORE ABOUT TERESA}

Read more about Teresa's accomplished life over on the blog here via an interview with her daughter. Look for more of Teresa's needlework in the shop here along with other vintage and antique linens that she collected over her lifetime.