Abigail Rebecca Goodland Cross Stitch

We are redoing our sewing room a bit.  My sewing machine has rested on a door placed on top of two file cabinets most of my sewing career.  The recent addition of Ellie from Sew ‘n Save warranted new sewing tables, which are on order.  Since the file cabinets have to go, they need to be emptied.  While going through all the files I have saved since my first house purchase in 1986, I found this gem.  It was stitched by Abigail Rebecca Goodland in 1934.  I do not recall how it came to rest in my file cabinet!

Abigail 1934

My mother’s grandfather, Walter Samuel Goodland, was the 31st Governor of Wisconsin.  He was born in 1862 and died in office in 1947.  His older sister, Abigail, was the person who stitched this lovely cross stitch piece.  She was born in 1853 and died in 1941.  I think it is quite amazing that she stitched this at 81!  I guess I came by this love of cross stitch quite naturally, and sure hope I still enjoy creating pieces when I am 81.

Abigail ‘s Younger Brother Walter

This is actually the second piece of Goodland history we have in our home.  The other piece is this chest that my great-grandfather received when he was a Senator.  He held that office from 1927-1934 which was then followed by a stint as Lieutenant Governor.  I often wonder how he would feel about the current state of our country.  We may not have agreed on our politics as I reflect about him, but it sure is a conversation I would love to have had.  He would have had a lot of Wisconsin political history to share, and I would love to soak it up. ~smile~

Our plans for Abigail’s piece does include framing it.  We have done our share of archival framing, but this one poses an issue.  Abigail left very little extra fabric to allow for framing.  I may have to add some muslin on all sides in order to lace it on some acid-free foam core.  It may be enhanced with a mat – we haven’t even measured it to see what size frame may be used.  I think it deserves a spot in our sewing room where we can smile on it often and enjoy those who came before us.

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