embroideries

Global Schwalm Sampler – Update (25)

Finally, the last of the promised contributions has been received. So this blog post will be the last in the series showing a great online exhibition of Schwalm whitework. The sampler will be made of so many stunning, unique, and various embroideries.

Thanks to all the talented contributors. Their work inspires awe in so many embroiderers all over the world!

#92
An embroiderer from Germany, who wishes to remain anonymous, has donated an excellently worked contribution to the joint project. She chose a rainbow as the subject of her piece, and I think this motif happens to be the perfect end to the embroideries that have been collected from all over the world. She named her project Schwälmer GSM-Regenbogen (=Global Schwalm Sampler Rainbow).

She wrote – roughly translated: “I chose the rainbow because it is considered an old (biblical) symbol for connectedness. It should represent the global connection of all submitted work on this GSS.

Here it is formed from five ring segments, which are supposed to represent the five continents (inside out according to size): Australia, Europe, Africa, America, Asia.

The half-eyelet scallops represent clouds.

The lower line made of knot stitch with the spirals is supposed to symbolize the seas connecting all continents.

The heart, as a typical Schwalm motif, was chosen by me as a symbol for the love of all female embroiderers and of course also male stitchers for this art of embroidery. Because without love for this beautiful and sophisticated embroidery technique, this project would hardly have been realized.

The small sun (or flower) over the heart motif should represent my wish that the art of embroidery should blossom again and again. It is such a beautiful expression of human creativity – just like the diversity of nature.”

With the apt words of Mimi Chan, that she generously has allowed me to use, I would like to end this series of introductions to the individual contributions:

In the world of embroidery, there is no boundary.

We love the art, regardless of its technique, where it is made and who made it.

We love this art, not only the finished piece but also the process of making it.

We love this art, which brings peace to our mind and heals our soul.

We look forward to seeing all the small pieces of Schwalm Whitework from different parts of the world sewed up to be ONE.

You can see more contributions in Update 24.

Global Schwalm Sampler – Update (24)

The last of the promised contributions have arrived.

However, with such an ambitious project, it should not be surprising that a little problem might arise. Due to language difficulties, misunderstandings arose with one person’s contribution. Cheayoun Lee from South Korea contributed straightaway three embroideries: a pillowcase with a beautiful, but coloured stitched tulip wreath design,

a perfect worked square doily with a folded Peahole edging,

and a cute oval doily.

I immediately thought that I could not accept so many elaborate, but unsuitable, works for the sampler project. But how was I going to explain all this in a heartfelt way? Fortunately, I was introduced to another Korean lady – Youngmin Lee – who lives in the United States. She immediately and generously agreed to help me express my thoughts in Korean.

In the end, Chaeyoun Lee strongly urged me to not send back the unsuitable sampler embroideries. Instead she asked that I keep them as a donation for my museum. So I will gratefully do this.
Her oval doily, however, will be attached to a rectangular piece of linen. In that way I can very easily include it in the sampler; it will be a wonderful and unique addition to all the other embroideries.

#90
Chaeyoun Lee
She wrote: “With the wish of all people in the world to be healthy”

#91
Ekaterina Khokhlova from Russia embroidered a beautiful spruce tree.
She wrote – roughly translated: “I really liked the idea of creating a sampler together, and I will be very happy to participate. I hope I am not too late with this letter and my work. I chose the spruce motif for my work because Russia is rich in natural resources – especially forests. The forests of Russia take up 22% of the total forest area of the planet. Among all Russian trees, spruce plays a special role. This evergreen tree stands for eternal life, youth and strength. While embroidering a spruce tree for the Global Schwalm Sampler, I want to wish everyone health, steadfastness and striving for life in these difficult months of our lives.”

„Я выбрала для своей работы мотив ели, потому что Россия богата своими природными ресурсами- лесом. Леса России составляют 22 процента от всего лесного массива планеты. Среди всех деревьев у русских ель занимает особое место. Это вечнозелёное дерево олицетворяет вечную жизнь, молодость и силу. Вышивая ель для Глобального семплера швальмской вышивки, я хочу пожелать всем и каждому в эти непростые месяцы нашей жизни крепкого здоровья, силы духа и стремления к жизни».

Now only one embroidery is remaining to be presented. It will be shown in the next blog post.

You can see more contributions in Update 23.

Global Schwalm Sampler – Update (23)

Now only a couple of the Hong Kong contributions remain to be presented – all very individual and varied.

Also, a few more embroideries have arrived. They will be featured in upcoming blog posts.

#86
Carol Lawrence

#87
Sandy Wong

#88
Sandy Wong

#89
Mimi Chan
She wrote: “I named my piece Twelve Bunnies, but you´ll only find 11 bunnies in it. The twelfth bunny is in my heart. His name is Pasta. I adopted him 9 years ago when he was 1 year old. He´s now 10. He´s a lovely bunny with a character. He loves fresh veggies and fruits. He is always a good boy, bringing us joy and being a good companion.”

You can see more contributions in Update 22.

Global Schwalm Sampler – Update (22)

Here are six more unique embroideries from the Hong Kong contributions. Due to my wish to include a bit of openwork into the sampler, some of the ladies embroidered two pieces. These are not really typical for Schwalm, but they are made with love (as hearts and inscription expressly show). Thanks for that!
Hearts and an inscription are also embroidered in the last “lovely” contribution of this series. Here I also discovered a filling pattern that is new to me.

#80
Jackie Kung

#81
Jackie Kung

#82
Zoei Chan

#83
Candice Chan

#84
Candice Chan

#85
Vivien Kwok

You can see more contributions in Update 21.