The 19th Century's "It Girl"
Frances Cleveland was an "influencer." At 21, she took the country by storm when news broke that she was to marry President Grover Cleveland
top of page
Yarns
Debra Scala Giokas
- Apr 21
- 4 min
Remembering the First Ladies
National First Ladies Day, to be celebrated on April 27 this year, honors all First Ladies of the United States, to commemorate when...
1750
Debra Scala Giokas
- Nov 24, 2023
- 3 min
Remembering Rosalynn Carter
In 2019 when I was still researching my book, I wrote to former first lady Rosalynn Carter to inquire about her sewing and other...
490
Debra Scala Giokas
- Nov 17, 2023
- 3 min
A Thank You Note For My Readers
I wanted to take a moment to express my gratitude to my readers and those who have attended any of my talks, whether virtually or in...
1380
Debra Scala Giokas
- Jun 4, 2023
- 2 min
World Wide Knit In Public Day
In 2005, Danielle Landes began World Wide Knit in Public Day ("WWKIPD"). Since knitting is a solitary act, the idea was to bring knitters...
350
Debra Scala Giokas
- Apr 3, 2023
- 3 min
The Pennsylvania Avenue Zoo
First Lady Grace Coolidge and her husband, President Calvin Coolidge, made a cool couple. He was shy, and she did much of the talking....
290
Debra Scala Giokas
- Feb 20, 2023
- 2 min
Abigail Fillmore and The First White House Library
Abigail Powers Fillmore grew up poor but had thousands of books she inherited when her father, a Baptist minister, died when she was only...
530
Debra Scala Giokas
- Jan 27, 2023
- 4 min
Sayville: A Gem by the Sea
Some years ago I published this article about my hometown -- Sayville, New York -- for a local publication, the Great South Bay...
350
Debra Scala Giokas
- Jan 15, 2023
- 3 min
How Crocheting Can Calm Our Minds
My grandmother taught me how to crochet when I was seven, and I stuck with it for a few years. I would make granny squares, and she would...
960
Debra Scala Giokas
- Dec 23, 2022
- 2 min
Barbara Bush and her Needlework
If you love to craft and give your handmade gifts as presents during the holidays, then you have something in common with First Lady...
560
Debra Scala Giokas
- Nov 11, 2022
- 3 min
Florence Harding: Champion for Her Boys, the Veterans of World War I
On November 11, 1921, the unidentified American soldier who died in France during World War I was buried at Arlington National Cemetery...
1110
Debra Scala Giokas
- Sep 24, 2022
- 2 min
Grace Anna Coolidge
The First Lady of Baseball I recently attended a Mets game at Citifield, and I couldn't help but think of Grace Coolidge. The Coolidges...
860
Debra Scala Giokas
- Sep 15, 2022
- 3 min
First Knitter of the Land
How First Lady Eleanor Roosevelt Encouraged Volunteers to Knit One Million Sweaters On September 30, 1941, First Lady Eleanor Roosevelt...
2080
Debra Scala Giokas
- Sep 9, 2022
- 4 min
International Crochet Day
The idea for an International Crochet Day began in 2007 with Jimbo, the author of the blog called “Jimbo’s Front Porch,” who hand carved...
1360
Debra Scala Giokas
- Aug 30, 2022
- 4 min
Who Is Claire McCardell?
How I learned about the American Fashion Designer Claire McCardell
2970
Debra Scala Giokas
- Aug 27, 2022
- 2 min
Crocheters Live Twice
"Writers live twice," said Natalie Goldberg in her book WRITING DOWN THE BONES. I can attest that after crocheting 120 squares in one...
850
Debra Scala Giokas
- Aug 23, 2022
- 2 min
Me and Mrs. W.
So that's me in the front of the line with the red book bag and that's my kindergarten teacher Mrs. W in the red dress. In the 1970s I...
190
Debra Scala Giokas
- Aug 23, 2022
- 3 min
The Story Behind LADIES, FIRST: COMMON THREADS
I was almost at my halfway mark when I was writing about Edith Roosevelt. She had once lived at Sagamore Hill, the Summer White House,...
520
For those who enjoy a good yarn and a needlework project (with a cup of coffee or tea).
Stop by often to stay in the loop, get hooked on history and let me know what you're making!
bottom of page