Wednesday, November 10, 2010

The House of the Seven Gables

The vintage embroidery pattern I am working on is the House of the Seven Gables (McCall 789).  In preparation to start working on this pattern, I took out a copy at the library of Nathaniel Hawthorne's book by the same title to read.


The book was inspired by a house with seven gables that still exists in Salem, Massachusetts.  The house was actually once owned by Hawthorne's cousin and he went there often when he was younger. 

 It doesn't look as spooky as it feels in the book.  Though a snowy background does help:


The story is interesting.  It's about several generations of a family and a 'curse' that was put on the family in relation to the house.  So the house plays quite a central role.  The story is good, though a bit slow at times. Have any of you read the book?  What did you think?

Why did McCall print a pattern based on the House of the Seven Gables?  Well, it turns out there was a 1940 film starring Vincent Price:
Unfortunately, LoveFilm (which is our version of Netflix) doesn't have the film BUT I did see it on Amazon.com for sale.  I will have to check it out and see how closely it relates to the book.

Have you seen the film? 
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4 comments

  1. I haven't seen the film, but am intrigued that a needlepoint pattern was put out due to a film being released. I had no idea that was how needlepoint patterns came about!

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  2. I just saw the film a few weeks ago on public television! Very melodramatic like all Vincent Pryce fair though. Haven't read the book so can not tell you how it compares. There are a few special effects that look a bit cheesy to modern eyes. I would try to rent it before buying it though. Can you check YouTube, it might be on there in segments.

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  3. I've never seen the film, but I'd like to. Have you tried your library? Mine has tons of DVDs.

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  4. Not read the book nor seen the film but I do know the house has been reproduced in 1/12th scale for the dolls house market (my secret obsession)!

    And thank you for my lovely pattern, its going to be so useful. I've also found the fabric for my 30s dress, an olive green linen weave. I'm umming over which view to make, probably I will go for the suspenders, feels more me! :-)

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I read each and every comment--thank you so much!

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