Martha Washington's Shell Cushions

Mount Verson has posted an interesting short video about Martha Washington's dozen shell chair cushions.  I didn't know there were so many or that they were stitched over such a long period or that they included so many colors.  Fascinating!

https://www.facebook.com/HistoricMountVernon/videos/1202864078239885

You can see reproductions of the cushions in place at Mount Vernon and learn a bit more about them here-

https://www.mountvernon.org/the-estate-gardens/the-mansion/little-parlor/furnishing-the-little-parlor

Here are two more links from Mount Vernon's website.  I haven't found the video posted to Facebook on the Mount Vernon website yet but maybe it will end up there eventually.

https://emuseum.mountvernon.org/objects/1294/chair-cushion?_gl=1*umuakk*_gcl_au*NDAzNDUyMDIyLjE3NDg5NTYzODU.*_ga*NDg4Mzc2OTU2LjE3NDg5NTYzODU.*_ga_Z7H51J8C80*czE3NDg5NTYzODMkbzEkZzEkdDE3NDg5NTY1MTUkajU5JGwwJGgw

https://magazine.mountvernon.org/2020/Spring/object-spotlight.html?_gl=1*umuakk*_gcl_au*NDAzNDUyMDIyLjE3NDg5NTYzODU.*_ga*NDg4Mzc2OTU2LjE3NDg5NTYzODU.*_ga_Z7H51J8C80*czE3NDg5NTYzODMkbzEkZzEkdDE3NDg5NTY1MTUkajU5JGwwJGgw

Mount Vernon sells two cross stitch charts of this iconic pattern if you are interested.

https://shops.mountvernon.org/collections/cross-stitch

Written by Jane/Chilly Hollow

Blogging at http://chillyhollownp.blogspot.com

and at http://chstitchguides.blogspot.com

© Copyright June 3, 2025 Jane M. Wood. All rights reserved.

Women's Work Exhibit: The Movie

Tarrytown, NY had an exhibit called "Women's Work" at Lyndhurst Mansion to showcase art from women.  The local CBS news affiliate has posted a video about the exhibit (now closed) features one of Martha Washington's shell pattern needlepoint chair cushions.

https://www.cbsnews.com/video/womens-work-art-by-women-known-and-unknown/#x

Written by Jane/Chilly Hollow

Blogging at http://chillyhollownp.blogspot.com

and at http://chstitchguides.blogspot.com

© Copyright October 8, 2022 Jane M. Wood. All rights reserved.

Woodlawn Owns a Martha Washington Chair Cushion

One of the dozen chair cushions Martha Washington needlepointed has been given to Woodlawn Plantation. It was on display during the 2019 needlework exhibit.
https://savingplaces.org/stories/a-martha-washington-chair-cushion-puts-needlework-front-and-center-at-woodlawn#.XTm9Pi2ZN3k

Written by Jane/Chilly Hollow
Blogging at http://chillyhollownp.blogspot.com
and at http://chstitchguides.blogspot.com
© Copyright July 25, 2019 Jane M. Wood. All rights reserved.

Celebrity Needlepoint Sightings

Scrim Needlepoint's Facebook account had two celebrity needlepointer mentions today. First up, Martha Washington!
https://www.facebook.com/scrimdiscovery924/photos/a.1053431794673096.1073741828.1053431734673102/1848379025178365/?type=3&theater

Then Henry Fonda!
https://www.facebook.com/scrimdiscovery924/photos/rpp.1053431734673102/1848385541844380/?type=3&theater

Written by Jane/Chilly Hollow
Blogging at http://chillyhollownp.blogspot.com
and at http://chstitchguides.blogspot.com
© Copyright September 27, 2017 Jane M. Wood. All rights reserved.

Happy 4th of July! UPDATED

As today is when America's birthday is celebrated, it is appropriate that we listen in as Brenda describes stitching reproduction chair cushions using the pattern Martha Washington used when she stitched cushions for George's beloved Mt. Vernon.  The photos of Martha's shell patterned cushions I've seen led me to believe that these were pink on a pale yellow background.  How much time has faded the colors!  I didn't know they were done in cross stitches, either.
http://brendasneedlepointstudio.blogspot.com/2013/06/mt-vernon-va-seat-cushion.html

These are very elegant and will be wonderful in the restored dining room.

UPDATE:  I found an article that shows off the cushions better, both an original and the repo ones done for Mt. Vernon.
http://institchesshopblog.blogspot.com/2012/11/lots-to-be-thankful-for.html

Brenda stitched one of the reproductions.
http://brendasneedlepointstudio.blogspot.com/2013/06/mt-vernon-va-seat-cushion.html

Written by Jane/Chilly Hollow
Blogging at http://chillyhollownp.blogspot.com
and at http://chstitchguides.blogspot.com
@ Copyright 2013 Jane M. Wood. All rights reserved.