Earlier this year, I dusted off my old cross stitching stash, and took up the craft again.

Wow! There have been a lot of changes in the last 10 years in the products you can get to express yourself with this age-old fiber art.

 

I noticed that stitchers generally use their finished pieces for home decor, and that they often use dishes as part of the display.

Since primitive style designs are popular, I decided to come up with a collection of dish patterns that those who who work in this style could use to further enhance their homes.

Dish Categories for Primitive Home Decor

Early American

Two of the most popular pattern produced for many years are well-suited for a rustic look: Village and Yorktowne, both by Pfaltzgraff.

Following on are two more Pfaltzgraff patterns: Folk Art and America. These patterns feature hand-decorated design elements and warm colors. America's sponge-painted motifs vary by the piece type, making this set particularly charming!

Also, Federalist by Sears is another pattern that could mix and match well. It is white, so it goes with everything. The sculptured shapes take these dishes back to another era.

These and other patterns date from the 1970s, made to celebrate America's bicentennial. Some are still produced; others and easy to find in secondary marketplaces.

Works by designer Warren Kimble have been transformed into dinnerware and home decor over the years. I've seen wall art and dishes in my travels over the years.

Many of the sets contain limited piece types, such as dessert plates only, or plates and mugs. Besides Henny Penny, there are sets with flags, barns and apple pie.

When you find them, they might well harmonize with your style.

Muted Colors

Primitive stitching designs often feature the muted colors that recall the home-dyed fabrics of centuries past.

The Brambleberry pattern by Hearthside is one of my personal favorites because of its soft blues and rose pinks. It's not quite as colonial as some of the other dishes, but the pieces are hand decorated and go well with the rest of my decor.

Stitchers who like to use tea dyed fabrics or similar colors will find vintage wares that complement these cross stitch patterns, too.

Dinnerware patterns that feature these colors in the pattern and/or the background (such as Heartland by International) will complement a mixed display.

There are three of these patterns: Heartland, Heartland Village and Heartland Christmas. They coordinate with each other, or you might like one best and focus on that if you're collecting.

Handcrafted Look

More dinnerware patterns that feature a handmade look, such as spongeware and dripware, will also go well with these charming stitched patterns.

In the 1700s and early 1800s, many items were made at home or crafted in small shops by local artisans. Any dinnerware that has that vibe is potential use along with your favorite stitched designs in the primitive category.

Pottery made by companies like Hartstone, Onion River or Bennington are worth seeking out if they speak to you. I've heard that Hartstone is no longer produced, but pieces can be found in secondhand stores, and there is a fan group on Facebook.

Onion River is also a product that you will find from secondary sources. Bennington has a website and it's available online.

A Personal Favorite

It seems that when I pick items I like, they almost always work together. Brambleberry by Hearthside is one of those dish patterns. It's the colors I think.

I like it just for that, not to mention that it is quality stoneware from the late 70s into the 80s.

Your home decor is personal to you, and if it works for you, then that's all there is!

 

Cross Stitch Dishes

If you visit a lot of sales and shops, you may find dishes like these by Homer Laughlin. I've only seen a very few examples over the years, but they are out there, if you hunt!

Pieces from many of these patterns are available from Replacements dot com, as well as other online sources.

Of course, these are not the only dishes that can add to your home to build a collection that will enhance your stitched FFOs (final finished objects).

Depending on your likes, your dish collection can be as varied and plentiful as your creative spirit, and the way you express it through your stitching!

 

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