Old Fashion Chicken Scratch Apron
I had never heard the term “chicken scratch embroidery“ until last week when I stopped into an antique store and stumbled across two aprons that I fell in love with.
It just happened that the antique booth owner was in her booth and was able to explain to me what the fancy stitching on the front of the apron was. She explained that the chicken scratch embroidery was sometimes called Amish embroidery, depression lace or gingham tracks. It made the aprons even more special to think that someone took the extra time to add those finishing touches. I was excited to add these to my apron collection!
The embroidery on these aprons used the double cross-stitch.
Double Cross Stitch
Work a cross stitch from corner to corner in one square of the gingham.
Then work a straight cross stitch over this. Remember to do your cross stitches in the same order so all your threads go in the same direction.
Thanks for stopping by!
Tracy Lynn
P.S. Do you like what you are reading?
Are you looking to slow down and live a simpler life?
I am so happy you’ve landed here and I can share some of the simple living principles that have made a huge difference in our lives.
To give you a place to start I have created a “5 Steps to Simple Living Guide“ that I am offering to you free.
Along with this free download, is included a complimentary subscription to our weekly Our Simple Homestead Newsletter. Each week you’ll receive simple living tips, homesteading ideas, old-fashion recipes and every once in awhile a touch of the Amish lifestyle.
Click here to receive your free download of 5 Steps to Simple Living today!
DISCLOSURE: In order for me to support my blogging activities, I may receive monetary compensation from affiliate and sponsored posts on this blog.
I love the apron too and the embroidery. I have a little gingham thing that rolls up to hold scissors and thread and needles for sewing that I made when I was 11 for school. I am sure that it has the chicken scratch embroidery on it. We had to sample various embroidery stitches. Thanks.
This is lovely! I pinned it for when I’m feeling crafty. 🙂
These are so sweet! Thanks for sharing!
I was so happy I found them…I think they are sweet as well!
Thank you for sharing this beautiful technique at the Clever Chicks Blog hop! I’ll be featuring you this week, so please feel free to grab my Featured Button! Have a great week!
Kathy Shea Mormino
The Chicken Chick
Kathy,
That was a nice surprise to see this post featured! Thank you so much!
I forgot all about chicken scratch embroidery! I am so glad I found this. Can’t wait to try this again. Thanks:)
I just found another apron last weekend with chicken scratch embroidery on it. I am in love with this pattern. It looks so pretty and is so easy to create!
OMG!! Soon after I was married in the 60s my great grandmother sent me an apron like that!!!! I did not appreciate aprons in those days, I have just recently come to appreciate them for their protective qualities. I hate to stain a blouse that I just made or wreck it with bleach. Don’t ask!! I wish I could remember what happened to that apron but with so many moves over the years, I have no idea.
I never even knew about Chicken Scratch before I found those aprons…now I look everywhere for them! I do love my aprons!
I really want to learn embroidery. Actually, I want to learn a lot of dying skills. I find them so pretty and useful. This looks like a really pretty stitch. Are there any guides or books you’d recommend for learning embroidery?