blog Archive - Luzine Happel

Activities related to Intangible Cultural Heritage

By Luzine Happel on 2. October 2025 / blog / Leave a comment

From October 4 to November 8, 2025, an exhibition entitled „Tradition und Moderne“ – Mode und Tracht will take place at the Munich Gallery of Crafts. In addition to extensive exhibits on the subject of textile handicrafts, Schwalm whitework will also be on display. The catalog, available for free download as a PDF file, is sure to pique your interest. A visit to the exhibition is certainly worthwhile.

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October 17th is the International Day of Intangible Cultural Heritage. . Institutions are encouraged to use this day to showcase their respective cultural heritage.

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Margarete Grandjot will host a “Schwalm Day.” She will open her embroidery studio starting at 2:00 PM to offer insights into traditional Schwalm embroidery.

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Interest in Schwalm whitework is spread throughout Germany and far beyond. For those unable to attend an in-person event, a virtual event is offered. Titled “Schwalm whitework – What is it and how is it done?”, my blog post on October 17th provides the necessary information, briefly explains the technique, and shows numerous sample photos.

This compact overview can certainly be of interest even to experienced embroiderers.

Look forward to it

Double Outlines (6) – Blanket Stitches

By Luzine Happel on 26. September 2025 / blog, embroideries / 2 Comments

Centuries ago, blanket stitches were a popular way of creating an area between two outlines, as shown here on a baby sling from the mid-19th century.

and on parts of a blue-dyed parade handkerchief.
Unfortunately, this type of decoration has been somewhat forgotten. Blanket stitches are easy to work. They can create an effective border. These stitches should be brought back into focus as border stitches.

The stitches sometimes run at right angles to the embroidered surface, as shown above, and other times they are arranged at an angle.

Sometimes the loops run along the inner edge,

sometimes they are placed on the outside.

They are often embroidered very densely, sometimes with spacing.

There are also formations in which two rows of blanket stitches run against each other.

Double Outlines (5) – Bullion Knots

By Luzine Happel on 19. September 2025 / blog, embroideries / Leave a comment

Bullion knots (not to be confused with French knots) are a rarely found design of an area between two outlines.

They effectively frame a motif in a very special way. The raised stitches create a beautiful contrast, especially with flat filling patterns.

Bullion knots (Early Schwalm Whitework, pages 63 and 64) are suitable for edging almost all motifs,

because rows of such bullion knots adapt flexibly,

can also take tight curves – so they are also suitable for small motifs –

and are also easy to continue around corners.

Bullion knots work best when stitched relatively close together.

The size of the knots can be influenced by the thread weight used and the number of wraps.

Double Outlines (4) – French Knots

By Luzine Happel on 12. September 2025 / blog, embroideries / Leave a comment

French knots are well suited for creating an area between two outlines.

They are easy to work and frame a motif effectively without the addition of additional decorative stitches.

Rows of such French knots adapt flexibly to a wide variety of motiv shapes and can also be perfectly continued around corners.

French knots can be stitched relatively close together or with some distance between them. However, the chosen distance should be maintained. It’s a good idea to make markings before stitching.

The size of the knots can be influenced by the thread thickness used and the number of wraps.

Double Outlines (3) – Interlaced Herringbone Stitches

By Luzine Happel on 5. September 2025 / blog, embroideries / Leave a comment

A popular way to create an area between two outlines are interlaced herringbone stitches. They are called “Schlängchen” (curved lines) in Schwalm, just like the interlaced straight stitches “Kerrercher”. The method can be found in my publication Schwalm Curved Lines, Narrow Borders, and Ornamental Stitches on pages 44 and 45.

Interlaced herringbone stitches can also occasionally be found in historical Schwalm whitework, as here on a baby sling from 1866, where they were embroidered to decorate the double outline of a basket.