Deutsch Country Days - Part 1 Lace, Quilts & other Home Decor

Living History Weekend in Marthasville, MO

as Deutsch Country Days kicked off it's annual

event on the historic Luxenhaus Farm.

 The all volunteer staff demonstrated skills of the

German settlers.  It is sponsored by the Lexenhaus Farm 

German Heritage Foundation.

The farm has folklife from fur traders to "modern" times of the 1800s.

 I have split this post up so I can cover all the wonderful artisans 

that donate their time to this event.

This woman is making bobbin lace, or Kloppolei.

You can see in the photo below that there is a template

that is pinned on something that resembles a pillow and then

several bobbins are twisted around themselves to make

this wonder pattern.

I really loved this rooster.

These are some of the other items they were making,

all for sale.  My neighbor brought her set over from Germany

and told me these prices were very fair as it takes a number

of hours to complete a small piece.

The loom fascinated me. I would love to have one

once I learn how to use my spinning wheel.

Some looms are much larger than this but something

this size would be perfect.

These are some of the items she was selling.

The fiber arts building had such cute items for sale

like this little rabbit

or this beautiful mouse.  Who could resist this?

All of these are made out of paper.

The artist uses templates and an exacto type knife to 

cut out these shapes on coffee stained paper.  

He then comes back an removes some of the coloring to

get the proper shading.

I thought this was a great quilt for a guy!

She also teaches wool rug braiding through private lessons.

The traditional hand quilting.

Another quilt was exhibited at the basket weaver's place.

I love the rug hooking although the colors in my kit

were a little too muddy to be a good match, they 

did offer to exchange them but it was a pretty far drive.

I would love to try the chicken or pumpkin.

These are woolen fabrics.

There was a twinging demo, similar

to a child's pot holder loom but of course

more sturdy and the fabrics were much nicer.

She weaves over and under using a large needle

  so the fabric strips can fit through them.

A similar weaving loom made larger rugs.

This was woven using two strips, 

one over and one under the vertical strips.

Another type used tied fabric to make rag rugs,

this one had a backing so it could be used 

as a shower mat.

 Of course there were candles to be made!

This was the first installment.

I'll have the wood workers,  homemaking,

edibles and all other scenes.

I will admit I did not walk up the Osage Trail section this year.

There are warnings that you have to be pretty fit to tackle it 

and my arthritis is kicking in with the colder weather.

I decided to scope out the shops and get a super big

cup of coffee to keep me warm.

The trail has the fur trappers, flint makers, primitive cooking, etc.

I have some photos from our last trip that I might link back to.

Stay tuned for part 2.

photo credit for map