The 1970s are not necessarily a decade I remember with a lot of nostalgia. I don’t recall being enamored of the fashions, décor or popular crafts of that decade. That might have something to do with my turning 12 in 1980. Kids under that age tend to have a rather narrow focus, and short attentions span. My one and only love was horses. If the activity didn’t involve horses I wasn’t interested.
From personal observation I wouldn’t be able to tell you what the hot crafts of the 70s were. There was a project person in our household; my dad. But his projects are largely mechanical. I don’t remember everything he made during the first decade of my life, but his hot-rod tractor (for tractor pulls) made an impression, probably because it was loud and spit flames out of the smoke stacks. My mom’s one project obsession was macramé. It seems like we had a lot of hanging plants. She did try teaching me on a couple of occasions. I just didn’t see the appeal of tying lots of knots.
Time does have a way of changing things. The book you see pictured with this post, copyright 1979, is a purchase I made this summer. It was partly due to belated regret and an ever-increasing interest in crafts that seem on the verge of becoming lost art. One of my grandmothers gave me a 1970s copy of R.D. Complete Guide to Needlework when I was in high school. During one of her many forays into second hand stores, she found it and thought I would enjoy it. I don’t think there was sufficient distance between me and the 70s to really appreciate the gift. It did stay on my bookshelves for several years, but I never really used it. It ended up in a donation box when my husband and I made a long distance move from Iowa to Texas.
Over the past decade I got a serious bug for vintage sewing and craft patterns, especially from the 1930s – early 60s. I started wishing I kept the needlework guide. It was actually a really good reference book even if most of the projects weren’t my cuppa tea. Having several different disciplines in one volume is rather handy. In the 70s versions, there are several types of embroidery, needlepoint, and lacework. The lacework section includes tatting and bobbin lace. And let’s not forget the macramé. My current copy contains a pattern for a window hanging that would be groovy in my kitchen.
The Project Queen
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