First Ladies and Needlework of the time. Episode #1- Martha Washington 

I am blown away by this first episode on First Ladies. I am glued to your story telling. I am 68 years old and I never learned any of this information about Martha Washington in school. Martha is now my favorite first lady. I can't wait for episode 2. THANK YOU !!!!!

Thank you so much. Anytime someone talks about George Washington I feel sooooo proud. My family are all from Virginia from the 1600's. I'm directly related to George and Martha Eskridge whose picture now hangs in Mt Vernon. Their relationship with Mary Ball is astounding and George Washington is named after Col. George Eskridge who came here to Virginia and served his 8 years as an indentured servant thrived here in America eventually. It is said he held George Washington at his christening and Mary Ball named George after my ancestor. I have to say Abigail Adams is my favorite first lady of all times. She went through so much adversity and was such a strong woman. This all while John Adams was away making negotiations for our country. Fabulous video ...i look forward to more of these! Thanks

I am so excited about this episode ! I too am 68 years old and never learned any of this. Please please give us more episodes like this. Love listening to you as I stitch. Thank you!

Omg loved this about Martha and George. You did fabulous, thank you. My favorite First Lady is Eleanor Roosevelt. She was a remarkable, intelligent person, advocated for civil rights, roles for women in the workplace, refugee rights from from WWII, a red cross volunteer and many more accomplishments. Standing up for herself amongst males of her time, where women were second class individuals in our society. What is there not to respect of someone that was so remarkable for her time.

Rachel!!! Thanks so much for doing these. They are gonna be wonderful. I was so excited when you said you were going to do this. I dont care how long you talk I could listen to you for hours.

My favorite First Lady is Abigail Adams. I love her strength and her courage that she held living in the times that she did. Thank you for your interesting research on these ladies and their needlework!

fascinating....thank you for all of your hours of research and retelling of the Washingtons...I'm loving Martha....looking forward to the next one.

Thank you so much for these videos! I really enjoyed the Martha Washington story. You are a wonderful storyteller. I so loved Martha Washington and her tenacity.

I loved your history of First Ladies. So far my favorite 1st lady is Martha Washington. She was smart and full of energy and so beautiful as a young lady. I look forward to your next session.

Rachel, I was listening to the Antique Needleworkers this morning where they mentioned your channel and series on the first ladies. I am not a cross stitcher but love all the fiber arts that kept hearth and home warm during the early years of our country. I am thankful to the woman who came before me keeping these arts alive. Arts of today, Necessity of yesterday. Love your series. Right now my favorite is Abigail. I look forward to learning about the others. Thanks for your time and attention to this subject.

Thank you. I loved your presentation of Martha and George Washington. Before I forget though, I absolutely love the blue and white quilt in the background. I grew up near Washington’s crossing. In fact ancestors use to own property where he crossed and my Dad and uncle would sled on the hills there. Everywhere I’d look there were roadside plaques that “Washington slept here”, it became rather a joke in the area as it seemed Washington slept everywhere. I believe you did an excellent job in your presentation and gave a nice factual unbiased presentation. Since George Washington is by far my most favorite president I think at the moment I’ll have to pick Martha as my favorite president’s wife or Lady. What a different life they lived back then yet there is so much the same. I love history and I believe we can learn so much from it especially if we can view history understanding they were living during their time and not our time and the way we think now. They were people living in their time just as we are living in our time. I wonder what people will think about us 200+ years from now.

Love, love this ride in history! Fantastic job!

I love history and your take on it! Thanks for sharing!! My favorite first lady has always been Abigail Adams. I loved her relationship with John and her no nonsense attitude and her willingness to get things done. Thanks again

Mrs. J.. Kennedy. I was surprised at how glued to your podcast I was! History wasn't my interest in school. I was more into the maths. But once I started listening, I couldn't stop.

Thank you. I love hearing history of our country and needlework too. My favorite First Lady is Dolley Madison.

Rachel I found this so interesting. I am not even an American I am Australian but I found the way you explained American history so fascinating. You obviously have a talent for explaining history in a fun and engaging way. Can't wait for the next one.

What an interesting subject! Going in, my favorite is Martha Washington. One of my favorite things when I last visited Mt Vernon was listening to the woman playing Martha talk to visitors. She was awesome - and she was stitching!

I loved learning more about George and Martha Washington. I listened while I stitched. I have been to Mount Vernon several times. Virginia is the state of presidents. My favorite first lady is Dolly Madison.

As of right now it would have to Martha Washington my history but had no food that she has been married twice I absolutely love this show and can't wait for the next one thank you so much

Oh my gosh, I just lost it when you said, "Am I sending my kids to school on a flippin' pirate ship?" Don't even worry about leafing through the book where it's not tabbed. This is absolutely fascinating and well worth the wait. Are you a teacher? You speak and explain so very well. It doesn't matter how long these are either because Lordy be, it's just so interesting.

Absolutely LOVE this Martha Washington video and can't wait for more videos in the series!!!!! It's fascinating history and told well! Thank you!

I enjoyed listening to your history lesson of Martha Washington. She is my favorite. Thanks Emily

My favorite first Lady is Eleanor Roosevelt and she still remains my favorite. I loved your lovely show today and could 😍 watch and listen to more, great job!

Awesome job with Martha Washington. My favorite first lady is Dolly Madison. I have lived in Virginia my entire life so I have access to many museums where I can see these samplers and other needlework. Thank you.

I really enjoy listening to history of Martha Washington . You are doing a wonderful job ! Thank You for sharing .

This was wonderful! Thank you! Just watched today. I had I missed the live. Can’t wait for the next!!!

I am from the UK and don’t know much about American history. I have found this fascinating. Thank you for your time and sharing your interest in the First Ladies of the US.

Hooked!!!!!! Thank you for sharing all of this hard work... you are amazing!!!!

Well done, my friend! Many of the Founding Fathers knew slavery needed to be dealt with, but none of them wanted to be the one to speak out and end it. Thus there is no direct use of the word slave in the Constitution. Even Thomas Jefferson said, "But, as it is, we have the wolf by the ear, and we can neither hold him, nor safely let him go." When the importation of slaves was banned in 1808, the institution began to grow and develop more as the way Hollywood has presented it. Taking my teacher hat off now 😉 My favorite First Lady? Hard to say, because of course we aren't taught a lot about the ladies. So, I guess it would be Mary Todd. What she went through was incredible.

Thank you for taking your precious time and presenting to us a bit of history on Martha Washington! I really enjoyed your presentation. You don’t have to be a professional historian to talk to us about her life, you covered her activities very well and made me want to read more about her and the lives of other First Ladies. Don’t be critical of yourself as you were kind enough to present information I bet none of us received in our schooling. Women’s lives for the most part weren’t considered important enough to teach. But we know who really keeps the home and communities going. 🥰❤

For now it is Martha Washington, primarily because George and I share a birthday ( his real one lol ). I have always been partial to him and I so very much enjoyed this video! Looking forward to all the rest! Thank you for your efforts!

Rachel, you should have been a history teacher. You kept my interest and it certainly wasn’t boring . Looking forward to the next episode.

Rachel, thank you so much. I have throughly enjoyed every minute as I set working on my Battenburg Granny Square blanket . Being from Maine, Barbara Bush is my favorite First Lady. Their home in Kennebunkport, always a fun drive by to see what’s going on at the moment. Also, I read that while traveling on Air Force One, she always had her needlepoint with her and finished a beautiful rug- ….looking forward to the next in your series.

Just happened across your channel and enjoyed your presentation. Right now I recall Nancy Regan and her devotion to Ron as the present first lady I admire. You have brought Martha to life for me and I will look forward to the next first lady you present. Thank you.

I really enjoyed this! Stitched the whole time as you were talking and can't believe it was an hour and a half. Thank you for sharing your knowledge and enthusiasm. Martha is my favorite First Lady at present.

I loved your First Ladies utube. I will watch them all. I love Eleanor Roosevelt. I read her autobiography and loves every minute. Thank you Leslie Ison

This was so great it's my second time listening and shared. Mary Todd Lincoln was my favorite but now I believe Martha Washington has taken her place.

I stumbled on to you first episode a few days ago while looking for a floss tube to listen to while I sewed. I was fascinated with the information that you shared about Martha Washington and her life. It was so very interesting, and you left me wanting to learn more about her. I am eagerly looking forward to your next episode. As far as who might my favorite first lady would be, I would have to say Eleanor Roosevelt but who knows - that may change after listening to your episodes. Thank you for your interesting and informative episode!

I do not know many first ladies but I did a report on Mary Todd Lincoln in high school. I also saw a show on Eleanor Roosevelt. I will enjoy listening to all these videos as I love history also. Martha set the tone for all those that came after so she has my admiration and gratitude.

Abigal Adams is my favorite first lady!! Barbara S!!! Enjoy the rest of your day!! Enjoy this all so much!!!! ❤❤❤❤❤❤

Love that you are doing this for all of us. I am completely hooked and looking forward to the next one. Thank you so much.

Love this era of History!! Thank you so much for taking the time to share your research!! I just finished the Abigail and John Cross Stitch that has their wedding date on it. I went to Brain Tree to visit her Homes, the church where she is buried . I was upset with the Mass. Historical Soc. There is no air conditioning in her home they retired in and her things are getting ruined. I look forward to the rest of the series. Nettie Wilson from Georgia

Rachel, thank you very much for doing this series. I was glued to my seat listening to your knowledge of Martha and George Washington. I could listen to you all day. Fantastic job! I can’t wait for the next one. I have always loved Jacqueline Kennedy and Abigail Adams has always intrigued me.

You did such a great job, Rachel, but I knew you would. You made our first "lesson" interesting, informative & so fun. Am really excited to hear all the rest. My favorite is Rachel Jackson. Tho she didn't get to really be "first lady", she was the one person, I think, that truly helped Andy Jackson become President by always being his true support. Their story is a sad one but a good one & she endured a lot of punishment for something that truly wasn't her fault. If you make it to Market & you have some time, go out to the Hermitage. It's maybe 25 miles from Cool Springs where Market is. It's a beautiful place & the tour is really good.

Wow, Rachel. You set your own bar pretty high. This was a wonderful trip back in time. My husband and I lived 1 mile from Mt Vernon (actually lived on one of George Washington's 5 farms) for 10 years. I visited Mt Vernon at least once a month because there was just so much to do and see there, and I read everything about the Washingtons I could get my hands on. I've always been a fan of Martha! I love it that she made sure her granddaughter Nelly learned to stitch. I'm sure you know about the wonderful juried needlework show that occurs each March at Woodlawn Plantation, the home that George Washington build for Nellie and her husband, Lawrence Lewis. It's now in its 60th year! It's run by a lovely group of ladies called Nelly's Needlers. I simply can't wait to hear all about Abigail Adams, my second favorite first lady!

This was wonderful and so informative. My husband and I are American revolution history overs. Visit Colonial Williamsburgs 1-2 times per year from Michigan. Doing this for over 45 years.

Great episode! Can’t wait for the next one. My fav First Lady is Jackie Kennedy bc of what she did for the White House interior-ly. Many antiques were missing; apparently former presidents and their wives would take china, paintings, etc. home when they left. She put a stop to that. The lighting of the Christmas tree, an official White House China, etc.

Thank you, this was wonderfully interesting and informative, I enjoyed it immensely. 😊. Can’t wait for the next one.

My favorite First Lady has always been Jackie Kennedy. Growing up in Palm Beach, and loving reading about the 1960's, it's hard to not be fascinated by her. But I also love learning and reading about Martha Washington, Abigail Adams (and the relationship she had with her husband), Eliza Hamilton, and others from early America. I am a crafter and an American history nerd/junky so these series is so exciting to me and I'm excited to keep listening as new episodes come out.

My favorite First Lady is Abigail Adams. I liked her because she had an independent spirit and believe that John would not have been the leader he has without her leading him. Great job!

Outstanding can’t wait till next one

I'm loving this so much. Thank you for your time and energy!! Right now, I'm a big fan of Abigail Adams. What she did to hold her family together while he was off doing his thing inspires me.

Fascinating! Thank you for sharing. I have to say that my favorite would be Martha Washington. I love to learn about that period of American history. We will see if I change my mind as your series continues.

Thank you for putting so much effort into researching these women! I enjoyed this 1st lesson on our first ladies.

Rachel this first episode was just wonderful and I learned new things with your research. I have several of Cokie Roberts books on the first ladies and they are great reads. However, it is time to refresh and read them again which I will do. My favorite first lady is a difficult choice as I think Abigail Adams was amazing since she was the first lady to live in the White House which was not finished and she hung her laundry near the fireplaces for the clothing to dry. She was also a strong advocate for her husband, John. So many of the ladies during this time were left to manage the farms as their husbands went on in the political world. I also love the things that Dolly Madison did as a first lady in saving the portraits from the rebels. I am looking forward to the next video on Abigail. I am stitching a sampler now on your Dolly Madison linen and I want you to know the linen is amazing. I love it so much. Thanks again for your research and onward and upward with first ladies. Norma in Boise, ID

Thank you so much for this video. It kept showing up in my feed and I finally watched it, and I am sure glad I did! I've learned more from you today than I ever did in all the years of history class in school! You do make history sound really fascinating, I wish you were my history teacher back in the day! You've got yourself a new subscriber - can't wait to see more of this content and your channel! Thank you!

You’ve done a wonderful presentation of your research! I too have loved George and Martha and many more of the founders and firsts! You have captured fact and added enough real time/present time info as background to help base our reactions and thoughts. Can’t wait to continue to follow your First Lady series! I like Martha, do all the types of stitchings! I love that lead in, that’s how I found you! I will definitely be recommending you to all my social media groups sewing or not. 👏🏻

Rachel ! Fantastic video. I absolutely loved it. Martha is my favorite first lady! I was finishing a stitched piece into a mini quilt as I listened. You were perfect company!

Wonderful job! Thank you so much. I eagerly await more! Margie\Tennessee

I so enjoyed your “lesson” onMartha Washington. I learned so much. I read that she and her husband decided to destroy all letters between, but a few years ago I think 2 letters were discovered hidden in a desk. Never have heard what was written though.

"Martha Stewart".. 😂 I laughed so hard I had to stop the video. I only found your channel 2 minute ago and I LOVE IT 😊

This was fabulous! I loved learning so much about Martha and George that I never knew before. Your sense of humor was so refreshing and I chuckled throughout. So enjoyed this and really looking forward to the next ones in the series. :)

Thank you so very much for all of the research that you are putting into this series. I have learned soooo much. I’ve requested 1776 from our local library. Barbara Bush is my favorite First Lady. I did enjoy learning about Martha. I think we’re going to find out that there were some very strong ladies married to the men.

I liked Martha Washington after your video. My favorite is Betty Ford. I learned a lot about Betty when I lived in Michigan. Her and Jerry were down to earth people.

Thanks for the informative and fascinating telling of Martha and George Washington. I loved all of the sampler references too!

I've really been looking forward to these videos and it was better than I could have anticipated. You are my Carol Saltbox. I always want to stitch what you're stitching and now read the books you recommend. Favorite First Ladies are Betty Ford and Lou Henry Hoover.

Enjoyed this very much. I don't know much about our First Ladies, I look forward to your future videos. I would have to say Martha Washington is my favorite right now, loved her story. Thank you🥰

I loved this story. I am not American, and not particularly interested in American history, but I truly loved the way you told it. You did a wonderful job in holding my interest. Well done, and thank you. I now know all about Martha Washington, and I look forward to your next story.

Fantastic history lesson, and I like how you show the samplers from that period My favorite first Lady is Martha Washington. Can't wait to hear the rest of the series.

This was a great video, kept my attention throughout. Thank so much. After watching Martha Washington has got to be my favorite. She was so pretty!

As an Adams descendant , I’d say Abigail . But I’m truly fascinated by Martha . Thank you for bringing her and her times to life!

Thank you so much! For taking the time to do this video and history lesson! I enjoyed it so much. ☺️

Thank you for sharing the story of George and Martha love it so casual

Amazing video! Thank you so much for this series. I don't know many of the First Ladies, but do remember being impressed by Eleanor Roosevelt from my studies in school.

Absolutely LOVED this episode!! So glad you are doing this!!! CANNOT wait for the next installment!!

Oh my goodness, Rachel! If you taught history, I would have taken your class and actually enjpyed it and learned something!!! Right now, my favorite first lady is Martha Washington. Who knows? Thant may keep changing with your consecutive videos. Thanks so, so much for all your time and effort in posting this!!!!

Hello from Tennessee! I just found you today and completely enjoyed listening to you while crafting!! Thank you so much for sharing your time with us. ❤ After listening to the rest of your podcast....Martha Washington seems a good favorite to pick!

Thank you so much for taking the time to do this series. I never considered myself a history bluff at all, but I can truly say I was completely riveted by your telling of Martha and George Washington 's lives. And for that reason, I have to say that Martha is currently my favorite first lady. I am looking forward to learning more!

My favorite First Lady is Martha Washington! Great video and I look forward to the next ones.

Finally got to finish watching this video. Love, love, love the video and the work you have done. My favorite first lady,...Jackie Kennedy.

Love Love this video! Excellent job! You make history so fun! I wish that I would have had a history teacher like you! So fun! Thank You

It’s hard to choose a favorite as I don’t know a lot about the early First Ladies. Betty Ford is a favorite because of her openness about breast cancer and alcoholism. Nancy Reagan for her cause of the drug war. Many supported causes close to their hearts and things that impacted their lives as it did ours. Thanks to you I’ve been watching a lot about Martha Washington

I loved watching your first video on Martha Washington. You did a wonderful job. I can't wait to see the others

This was so interesting!!! Even shared tidbits with my husband and daughter over dinner last night! Martha is my favorite now!!

This will be such a treat to look forward to. My favorite First Lady is Abigail Adams.

I loved this video. So much interesting information and insight into our first President and the first of the First Ladies. Although I am only a second-generation American, I just discovered that I am a cousin of George Washington’s. I have several favorite First Ladies: Eleanor Roosevelt, Abigail Adams, Jackie Kennedy. An interesting fyi, my husband was Civil War buff. A number of years ago, he was participated in a reenactment battle in Virginia. One of the participants found an old sample stuffed into a Southern Civil-War era rifle, where it had been used to clean the rifle. I would not be surprised if linen, including samplers, were repurposed used to dress wounds because of the lack of supplies in the South as the war progressed. Something to think about when we address the scarcity of Southern Samplers.

Thank you so much. I was stitching and listening. I felt like the quilting bee ladies where one would read while the others stitched. My favorite First Lady is Barbara Bush. I loved her honesty and reality on life. I am looking so forward to the other First Ladies you introduce me to. I will be looking for the books you spoke about. Once again thank you.

Absolutely wonderful. Thank you so much Rachel!!

I love the history of our country! Abigail Adam's is my favorite first Lady! Your video was very informative

Thoroughly enjoyed listening while crochet thanks for doing this it is very educational

You were AWESOME Miss Rachel!! I had the BEST TIME listening to EVERY MINUTE of Martha’s story! My dogs are grateful too, as I had my earbuds in and I listened while we walked and wandered all over my neighborhood - today it was ME who didn’t wanna go in! 🤣😂🤣😎. I am looking forward to learning more about our early First Ladies. Who knew that Martha was a pretty lady, and better yet, Georgie was quite the hunk in his day! 🥰👏🏻👍🏻 I have always admired Betty Ford, as she was REAL. She brought Breast Cancer into America’s home, and began to take away the stigma of the subject of boobies!😊 I believe opening the door to this type of cancer benefitted greatly from Mrs. Ford’s bravery. I am one of the grateful recipient of all the research and advances done in beating Breast Cancer. Thanks Betty!💖

Thanks for a awesome video very informative. My favorite is Martha Washington 😊

Thank you sooo much for starting this series!!!! It has been so interesting and I look forward to the next !! My best!! ❤❤❤❤❤❤

I’m so glad I took the plunge and started watching your series. I would say my current favorite First Lady is Barbara Bush. Probably because she is the one I remember fondly in my grown-up years. I also felt like I could relate to her and that she’s someone that reminds me of my own family. I know I’m late to the game but I can’t wait to catch up. Thank you for doing this.😊

Enjoyed this so much. Our son lives in New Kent County, so we know exactly where Martha was born and grew up. The home is in pretty good condition considering the age.

Thank you so much for taking the time to do this! I loved it and am looking forward to the next installment! I sat stitching and listening to you and my husband paused while walking through the room and sat down and listened, too! I think my favorite First Lady is Dolley Madison but just because I learned about her in elementary school in Guilford County, NC- her birthplace. I don't know too much about the First Ladies and I am interested to learn more!

Thank you for sharing your love of history. I really enjoyed this and my favorite is Jackie Onassis. Looking forward to more history knowledge.

Thank you, thank you for all of your hard work on putting this together. It was great.

Absolutely mesmerizing! Thank you so much. Favorite is probably Eleanor. Blessings, Marlene

Barbara Bush gets my vote because she was both First Lady and Mother of the President during my lifetime. I know she wasn’t the first to have that distinction, but she was the only one I remember seeing and reading about in my lifetime. Plus, I admire her acceptance of herself and she served as a role model to me on aging naturally (which is something I practice each and every day).