An embroiderer from the Netherlands who started learning Schwalm whitework a few years ago needs advice from time to time. She would like to embroider with like-minded people in her home country or attend courses. She lives in Rotterdam, but also accepts journeys if they are not too far.
Does anyone know of Schwalm whitework courses or embroidery circles that still accommodate interested embroiderers?
I would be grateful for feedback to my email address leuchtbergverlag@aol.com.
A combination of hem and decorative stitches decorates a rustic lampshade.
In the middle runs a band of a 13-unit mirrored needle-weaving hem, which is bordered at the top and bottom by a row of Peahole hemstitch.
The Peahole hem is followed by a needle-weaving hem with an A-pattern over 4 units. Blanket stitch half-eyelet scallops complete the border.
The entire combination reaches a height of 12 cm.
The embroidered and washed fabric was sewn together in a tubular shape and – with a hem at the top and bottom – pulled over a wire frame.
Rubber bands were pulled into the hems. This allowed the fabric to turn around the edges
and hold the lampshade in place.
At the upper end, the fabric was folded and shaped with a ribbon.
Stitch by Stitch Lace
Life and Work of the Willingshausen Schwalm Whiteworker Anna Elisabeth Grein
In more than 50 years of teaching, given in countless courses, Ms. Grein has ensured that the knowledge and skills of the unique Schwalm whitework are passed on. Both the lessons and her striking designs based on traditional motifs and exhibitions of her perfect embroidery have made her known far beyond Schwalm.
Now Heidrun Merk, 1st chairwoman of the Holzburg Museum Association, honors the work of Anna Elisabeth Grein in her latest publication (text: German).
After introductory chapters about whitework, she gives a brief outline of her life and then presents 30 selected, very different masterful embroideries in pictures and short word descriptions on 30 pages
The volume “Stich für Stich Spitze” is available from Ms. Merk for a price of €12 plus postage (contact: heidrun-merk@t-online.de).
category: Limet-Filling pattern
linen used: 13.5/cm thread count
threads used: coton à broder No. 20
stitches used: half Rose stitches/half Rose stitch variation and Diagonal Cross stitches
center: intersecton of withdrawn thread lines
one pattern segment = 25 threads
The filling pattern shown here is a practice exercise only. You can see it used in a shape at the end of this article.
First, establish a Limet grid by alternately cutting 1, leaving 3, vertically and horizontally.
Bring needle up one square above the center,
*cross over 2 (!) fabric threads to the left, insert needle there and bring it up again in the first hole.
Cross over 3 fabric threads to top, insert needle there and bring it up again in the first hole.
Cross over 3 fabric threads to the right, insert needle there and bring it up again in the first hole.
Cross over 2 (!) fabric threads to bottom, insert needle there and bring it up again in the first hole.
The first half Rose stitch with a half Rose stitch variation has formed.
Cross over the last stitch, insert needle and bring it up one square diagonally up to the left.*
This is the center of the next half Rose stitch with a half Rose stitch variation. From here always repeat the steps (*)
until the end of the row.
Turn the work 180° and embroider a row next to it in the established way,
so that the four remaining threads form a square.
Without turning the work, embroider Diagonal Cross stitches from bottom to top and
back from top to bottom next to the Rose stitches. First on one side, then also
on the opposite side.
By constantly alternating double rows of half Rose stitches with half Rose stitch variations and Diagonal Cross stitches, a diagonal striped pattern is formed.
I discovered this pattern in Fumie Suzuki’s contribution to the Global Schwalm Sampler.
Here it was worked on 16 tpc linen.
category: Limet-Filling pattern
linen used: 13.5/cm thread count
threads used: coton à broder No. 20
stitches used: Cross stitches
center axises: four thread columns
one pattern segment = 5 threads
The filling pattern shown here is a practice exercise only. You can see it used in a shape at the end of this article.
First, establish a Limet grid by alternately cutting 1, leaving 4, vertically and horizontally.
Bring needle up at the bottom of a square between the third and fourth threads from the right,
crosses the square upwards and pick up the two middle fabric threads there.
Always repeat this step up to the top of the row.
Once there, don’t turn the work, but
embroider downwards in the same way. Rectangular crosses are formed.
Further rows are embroidered in the established way next to it, always starting with the stitches leading upwards and
with the downward leading finishing the rows.
This way embroider row by row
until the entire area is filled.
Now turn the work by 90° and embroider crossing stitches in the established way
first again from bottom to top,
then from top to bottom.
This creates double crosses
that seem very prominent.
I discovered this filling pattern on the Schwalm tablecloth from “brubi”.
Here it was embroidered on 16/cm thread count linen.
Luzine Happel
Am Schindeleich 43
37269 Eschwege
Deutschland
Telefon: 05651-32233
Website: www.luzine-happel.de
E-Mail: leuchtbergverlag@aol.com
