MESDA Tour Eye Candy

 My trip to Winston Salem (for the SAGA National Convention) included a special tour of the Museum of Southern Decorative Arts (MESDA) . We were able to tour the main floor displaying gorgeous decorative items to include furniture, paintings, quilts, silver and so much more. They have a wonderful collection of samplers.

Look at these samplers and the beautiful sewing tables.

Here's an unusual map sampler of the United States.

Notice California is marked as unexplored regions yet San Francisco is noted on the coastline.

The Museum had some beautiful quilts on display including this appliqué one. Each block is made by a different lady and the fabrics each one used are different.

The basement floor detailed the history of the Moravians who settled Old Salem. We learned about and saw beautiful examples of Moravian needlework and crafts, including those of the Girls School the Moravian sisters founded to teach the genteel arts of the time.
Here is a sampler by Maria Steiner, 1808 (she was about 16 years old) that's linen or cotton thread on cotton. Very unusual!

Another sampler (silk) of a little girl and her lamb.

The lamb was stitched using silk chenille which is beautiful but difficult to stitch with.

This is a lovely pincushion and bag made from silk, silk thread and sequins, circa 1800-1820.

I love sewing tables. This one is beautiful, elegant and in perfect condition.

And last but not least is this beautiful beaded bag made around 1825-1840, from glass beads, metallic beads and sequins on silk.

That's enough eye candy for now!