This post shows the designs included in The Romance of Paula Vaughan, published in 1993. To see the rest of her work, and to read my hints for finding these out-of-print patterns, please visit my main Paula Vaughan post.
This book includes six medium-sized cross-stitch patterns, plus other projects that follow the same theme. Two of these designs are unique to this book: Gentle Pastime and Image of the Past. There is a seventh cross-stitch pattern, the Nosegay, under the Delicate Beauties section. The rest of the projects are from various crafts, including painting, sewing, quilting, flower arranging, and crochet. Some of the projects look quite dated now – the book is over 30 years old already! – but many of them still look beautiful today.
Front cover – featuring a glimpse of Delicate Beauties and the Grandmother’s Fan Quilt.
Stolen Moment
Stolen Moment was originally published as Book 64. This design features a large basket holding a Grandmother’s Flower Garden quilt. A white basket, a pincushion, and a spool of thread sit on the ground beside the basket. In the background, a barbed wire fence holds a straw hat. Irises and roses grow long the fence.
Additional projects: Picnic Set, Wildflower Wearables, Summery Straw Hat, Battenburg Lace Cardigan, Wildflower Basket, Pressed Flower Picture, Flower Garden Afghan, Marbleized Stationery
Thoughts of Spring
Thoughts of Spring was originally published as Book 55. This design shows a sewing room with a Singer treadle sewing machine. The green wooden chair in front of the machine has blue cushions with red roses. A pink dress is displayed on a dress form, and a white floral dress hangs in a chifforobe. A Dresden Plate quilt hangs over the door of the chifforobe, and a straw hat sits on the dresser side. A hat box on the floor holds another straw hat. A sewing basket sits beside the sewing machine. A window in the background gives us a glimpse of a rose bush outside.
Additional projects: Sewing Room Vignette, Keepsake Box, Book Box, Pincushion, Needleworker’s Chatelaine, Doll Dress, A Seamstress’ Wreath, Needlework Carrier, Grandma’s Sewing Drawer
Gentle Pastime
Gentle Pastime is a new design, not published elsewhere. This design features a worn wooden wheelbarrow. A basket in the wheelbarrow holds a bouquet of pink roses and other flowers, along with a pair of white gloves. Purple irises grow along a barbed wire fence and a white wooden gate. Several empty flower pots, a trowel, and a watering can sit on the ground. Daisies grow around the wheelbarrow and the flower pots.
Additional projects: “Time to Garden” Clock, Hat with Bird Nest, Decoupaged Garden Accessories, Seed Packet Sweatshirt, Potting Set, Bird Nest Overalls, Ivy-Covered Birdhouse, Painted Pot of Flowers, Garden Statue
Delicate Beauties
Delicate Beauties was originally published as Book 59. This design features a Grandmother’s Fan quilt in a hoop. The fabrics in the quilt are very detailed, and you can see floral prints, stripes, and dots. The table also holds a pincushion, a spool of thread, and a pitcher holding a bouquet of pink roses.
Additional projects: Grandmother’s Fan Quilt, Grandmother’s Fan Pillow Shams, Strip-Quilted Jacket, A Lovebird’s Cage, Wreath of Roses, Rosy Bath Basket, Delicate Nosegay Sweater, Delicate Nosegay Photo Album
Image of the Past
Image of the Past is a new design, not published elsewhere. This design shows an old-fashioned blue dress hanging on a dress form and also reflected in a large oval mirror. A couple of hatboxes sit on the floor, and one of them has a straw hat with a blue ribbon peeking out. A pair of black shoes sit on the large rug. A large trunk in the corner of the room holds a Rose of Sharon quilt. The walls are covered with rose-print wallpaper. A framed alphabet sampler hangs on the wall. White ruffled curtains frame a window that shows a pink rose bush growing outside.
Additional projects: Hanging Sachet, Sachet Bags, Heart Afghan, Heart Pillow, Ribbon and Roses Table, Shadow-Quilted Gown, Lingerie Bag, Crochet-Trimmed Sheet Set, Decorated Soaps, Embellished Towel Set, Stack of Pretty Pillows, Sachet Pillows
Summer Comes Calling
Summer Comes Calling was originally published as Book 57, Summer Welcome. This design features a front porch with intricate corbels. A hanging basket holds a fern. Sunflowers, roses, and a flower I can’t identify grow beside the porch. A barn is visible across the yard. On the porch, a green wooden porch swing holds a stack of two quilts, with a floral quilt draped over the swing. A brown rocking chair has blue cushions with roses, and holds a 9-Patch quilt. A sewing basket, spool of thread, and a flower pot of geraniums complete the scene.
Additional projects: Paper Sunflowers, Quilted Heart Wreath, Welcome Sign, Dogwood Coverlet, Porch Swing, Geranium Shirt, Floorcloth, Mailbox, Sponge Painting
Happy stitching!
— Elizabeth
More Paula Vaughan posts: Paula Vaughan ~ Text-only Books List ~ Books 1-10 ~ Books 11-20 ~ Books 21-30 ~ Books 31-40 ~ Books 41-50 ~ Books 51-60 ~ Books 61-70 ~ Books 71-80 ~ Other Books ~ Magazines