I know how to do Chicken Scratch, it is one of the first embroidery memories I have. My mother taught me and we would spend hours looking for gingham fabric in various stores. Unfotunately, gingham slowly become impossible to find. We quit looking; until, a few years back my mom mentioned she missed doing Chicken Scratch. I started scouring stores and the internet for gingham fabric. I discovered that Chicken Scratch along with gingham fabric made a small come back. It has also eveolved.

Chicken Scratch has various name including Snowflake Embroidery, Amish Embroidery, Gingham Embroidery, and Depression Lace. Women would use this type of embroidery to deecorate their home as well as their dresses. You have to put yourself in their shoes for this one. You have limited money as well as limited access to supplies with fabric being a luxury item as well as a necessity. Every scrap of fabric was stored away to be used.

This happened while settlers and pioneers were crossing America looking for a better life. It happened again during The Great Depression when resources and supplies just did not exist. Even flour companies started to send their flour out in pretty but durable fabric. Women could then use the bags to make needed clothing as well as other household items.

Note that I mentioned Chicken Scratch Embroidery is making a come back and the world is once again currently dealing with a financial crisis. Gingham fabric is slowly being reintroduced into the market in different colors as well as in different textiles. I have found gingham ribbon and gingham linen. And, it is also still cheaper than other fabrics.

It really makes you think about how creative our ancestors had to be in order to create something, anything, to bring a little bit of beauty into their families lives. As well as the joy they had in tiny scraps of embroidery to decorate their home.