Learn the basics of this disappearing art!
Taught by Embroidery Artist Karen Wattai and Tin Smith Frank Gillespie. German Star embroidery or De Schtaan in Pennsylvania Dutch is a type of wool embroidery found almost exclusively in the German enclaves of Pennsylvania.
Using old coats, worn out blankets and other articles of used wool material and a tin star as a pattern, this 100 year old art demonstrates the thrift an creativity of the PA German people. The first part of the day will involve making the tin start pattern, only 4 people at a time can fit into the tin shop – everyone will be assigned a time. The second part after lunch everyone will meet to learn the embroidery part.
Date: Friday July 5, 2024
Time: 9 AM – 4 PM
Location: The workshop is held in the Landis Valley Tin Shop and the Museum Store 2nd Floor Classroom (there is one flight of stairs)
Tuition: LVA Members $70.00, Regular Tuition $75.00
What to Bring: Lunch and water bottle. Please bring sharp scissors and a 7 or 8 inch embroidery hoop. It isn’t necessary but can be helpful and easier on the hands.
Coffee and Donuts will be served each morning from 8:30 AM – 10 AM in the Museum Store.
All sales are final, no refunds. Proceeds benefit the Museum.
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De Schaatan Embroidery: From “The Star”, by Shirley Sacks, Kutztown PA.
First a little history, in Pennsylvania German known as “De Schtaan” in Berks and York Counties and “De Shdarn” in Lehigh County. This is a type of wool embroidery belongs almost exclusively to the PA German sections of Pennsylvania. Going back over 100 years, it demonstrates the thrift and creativity of the people.
When coats, suits, blankets or other articles made of closely woven materials were work beyond use, the good sections of the fabric were saved and the “Stat” embroidery was done on these patches. When enough of these embroidered patches were made they were sewn together for pillow tops, chair pads and lap robes.
The yarn used was anything left from other projects. Knitted garments that were no longer usable were raveled out and the yarn washed and used for the embroidery.
The shapes used were wither the five or six pointed stars in various sizes. Those same shapes are seen in the hex signs and other types of decorations. We have been told that horseshoe, pretzel, and anchor shapes were also used: these we cannot verify
The patterns were made by the tin smith, along with the cookie-cutters and household pots and pans. Also made with this type of embroidery, but using felt as the base were both bed rugs and table rugs.