While searching my vintage cookbooks for the perfect recipe to share with you all in my ReTRo Cookbook Classics series, I stumbled upon this gem of a book that I had forgotten about. An awkward series of “how to” instructions for a number of needlework projects, published in the oh so chic year of 1978. Annette Feldman’s Needlework for the Home leaves no room untouched. From the kitchen to the bathroom and even to the backyard, there is a crafty creation just right for your space. In addition to sewing, knitting and crocheting and other still popular tried and true applications, this book also explores some crafts that have lost a bit of momentum in the last 30 years, like shell working and pasta working. (can’t find an example of that one!)

Here is a sampling of some of the projects found between these old pages. Enjoy.

Mirror-Framed Bright Flowers and a Matching After-Bath Sarong

Nothing says I have style more than coordinating your bath sarong with the framed art on your wall. This is a classic example of embroidered beauty that will leave you staring at your reflection thinking, “Can I be anymore fabulous?”

The Barbecue Butler, Grill Cover & Decorative Sheild for Outdoor Hors d’Oeuvres

Why hasn’t the Barbecue Butler concept caught on? Seriously? All of the tools, condiments and other crocheted items can store easily in the pockets and hang directly within reach of the grill. Handmade, crocheted genius. The grill cover could double as a really cool rasta hat. And the hors d’oeuvres sheild, pretty and functional. When I was a kid, we had the standard mosquito net type.

Bedspread, A Stunning Jewel Case Made of Pasta and a Fringed Lampshade

First I must say I am very fond of the wallpaper in this room. Next I must say that I too had a canopy bed in the 70’s, although it did not have a top on it. Now let’s address the fine pasta working skills on that jewel case… the details can not be seen in this photo, but I can tell you that there are 5 different types of pasta on it. It is a macaroni mosaic masterpiece. The lampshade is ultra groovy. I just wonder how the yarn complies with safety regulations when heated by a light bulb.

Creepy Sailor Rabbit Thingy

His name is “Percival” and he is a “Life-Size Life-Time Friend”. He stands just about 4 feet tall and also sports a “hidden pocket for storing a child’s most precious things.” You can’t help but wonder how many children actually received this creation from the crafty relative in the family after this book came out. A very disturbing thought.

A Pasta-Beaded Macrame Curtain

“Spread thirty-three manicotti over newspaper, spray them with bright blue enamel and allow to dry….” And Annette thinks you should take this design and really make it your own, but she gives some suggestions that sound lovely. “Green yarn and white enameled pasta would be a stunning combination for a summer or tropical home, while shades of yellow, gold and orange would add a note of sunshine to any setting.”

Oh Annette, thank you for adding a note of sunshine to my day with your retrotastic book.

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