Schwalm Whitework – Apron Square Designs

By on 14. October 2017   /   blog, Konturenmuster, new download products, Schwalm designs, embroideries   /   Leave a comment

Deeply impressed by the beauty of the apron square designs and the number of wonderful patterns that can be created using the same main motifs over and over again, I looked for a way to modify and then apply these designs to contemporary whitework designs. With the help of my designer, I have produced seven beautiful square designs. I have shown a variation of one in a previous article. It is a design axially symmetric; all others are centrically symmetric.

The designs measure 18 cm X 18 cm each, but it is possible to enlarge them. They are pretty made up as pillowcases, square doilies, and table runners. I am using five of the designs on each side to embroider a large tablecloth. Unfortunately it is not yet finished, so I cannot show a picture.
However, it looks like it will turn out very pretty. In addition to the pillowcase I showed in the previous article, I could finish six more square pillowcases using the centrically symmetric apron square designs.
The designs are beautiful.
The shapes are large enough to accommodate a variety of filling stitches or patterns. And the added Satin stitch embroidery makes a nice contrast to the drawn thread work areas.
Did I whet your appetite for more beautiful Schwalm-inspired designs?
I now offer the 7 designs + 1 design variation as a document for downloading.


Apron Square Designs
line-drawn designs
8 pages
7 + 1 designs in a size of 18 cm X 18 cm
2,28 MB file size
item price: €25 (including 19 % sales tax), 21.01 € for customer outside the EU
download here

Back to Top

Schwalm Whitework – Sunflowers

By on 9. September 2017   /   blog, Konturenmuster, embroideries   /   Leave a comment

The impressive sunflower is old and prevalent. So it is no wonder that it shows up as a popular motif in Schwalm whitework. (The sunflower motif should not be confused with one of the main Schwalm whitework motifs – the sun. The sun, also a circle motif, is commonly outlined with scallops or 2 short-2 long.)

Sunflower fields are currently in full bloom; these inspired me to take a closer look at sunflowers in Schwalm whitework.

The images I include here are arranged chronologically. The oldest traditional embroidery in my collection that includes a sunflower motif is from about 1770. It is early Schwalm whitework without any withdrawal of threads. Others date from the beginning of the 19th century. Embroideries from the 20th century and contemporary examples follow.

The circle center of the sunflower motif can be filled with a variety of different patterns allowing for an incredible number of creative possibilities.

The focus here is the arrangement of the petals. It is of particular interest because the embroiderers were also eminently creative in this point. From the very abstract design, which is identifiable as sunflower only upon second consideration, up to the nearly realistic rendering, many interpretations and nuances are found. This applies also to the sizes; there are some small, but also some very large examples.

Please take a look for yourself!






























Back to Top

Hare Circle Dance

By on 13. April 2017   /   blog, Konturenmuster, embroideries   /   7 Comments

In Germany, the Easter rabbit places the Easter eggs into hidden nests. And so it is not surprising that my Easter projects feature not only Easter egg shapes but also hare motifs. I asked my graphic designer for a design, and she came up with several wreaths. I decided on a circle dance with crouching hares – all running in the same direction.
1_14-2017Crouching hare shapes are easy and fun to embroider. The ears and legs can be worked with Satin stitches, and the head-body section – with no small or pointed areas – can be easily and creatively embellished with various filling patterns.
2_14-2017I decided to alternate openwork filling patterns with Limet filling patterns. When working openwork, I withdrew threads and worked filling patterns in the entire head-body area.
3_14-2017Whereas when working the Limet filling patterns, the head area remained unembroidered.
4_14-2017Each of the sixteen hares got a different filling pattern. Many well-suited small openwork filling patterns can be found in my book “Openwork Pattern Samplers.”
5_14-2017For the Limet filling patterns, I exclusively used small square eyelet patterns that can be found in my Limetrosen I and Limetrosen II books. Alternating the more prominent square eyelet patterns with the more flat and open openwork patterns makes for an interesting contrast.

By the way, the eggs shown in the above pictures (except the first image) are blown out chicken eggs that have been coloured and etched. The outline designs can be found in my booklet Easter Eggs – decorated with motifs of Schwalm Whitework made by a scratch technique. The wreath I embroidered has an internal diameter of 26 cm. The tea cloth measures 52 cm X 52 cm. The linen used has a 16/cm thread count. It is possible to enlarge the design a little bit.

Here is one more nice and easy project that – because of the many possible variations – you’ll really enjoy embroidering.
6_14-2017The design is available as a download for €8. The document includes the entire design reduced (to be enlarged at your local copy shop) and as a quarter design in the original size. Please email leuchtbergverlag@aol.com me with your request.

Back to Top

An Easter Egg Border

By on 1. April 2017   /   blog, Konturenmuster, printed designs, Easter eggs, embroideries   /   10 Comments

Easter eggs are especially suited for trying out different patterns. Because of the rounded shape without small or pointed areas, the arrangement of the pattern at the edges is easy to work. I wanted a border design, but there were so many issues to consider: Which sizes of eggs create a nice balance? Which shapes are best? How tall should they be? How should they be angled? I preferred to ask an artist; Artist Gudrun Hartwig designed this special Easter border.

The border shows Easter eggs lying in the grass. Some Easter eggs lie on the straight of grain and some on the bias. I decided to decorate the edges of a square tea cloth with the border. It measures 75 cm X 75 cm.
1_12-2017To simulate grass, I used “Trachtenstitch” (see Fancy Hems pages 14–16).
2_12-2017Each of the fifty-four eggs got its own special pattern. This was a real pleasure to stitch. I used exclusively square eyelet patterns, most can be found in my Limetrosen I book. The patterns in Limetrosen I are perfect for the egg shapes. And the variety of patterns in the book is vast – there are patterns for small shapes and big shapes, patterns appropriate for working on the straight of grain and on the bias. There are even some patterns for slanting shapes.
3_12-2017The Easter eggs can be decorated with striped patterns
4_12-2017or with dots.
5_12-2017The Limetrosen patterns use more thread than many other stitches. But the effect of the threads, dense and lying in different directions on top of the fabric, is very pleasant indeed. Chiaroscuro – the interplay of light and shadow – makes the border beautiful, although is is unadorned. My tea cloth is eye catching. The whitework is timeless; it complements all kinds of crockery, flowers, and contemporary decorations.
6_12_2017

Back to Top

Advent Calendar 2016 – No. 22

By on 22. December 2016   /   Advent Calendar, blog, small projects, Konturenmuster, embroideries   /   1 Comment

22_mk_1

22_mk_2

22_mk_3

22_mk_4

22_mk_5

22_mk_6

22_mk_7

The outline pattern for this wreath can be found in 12 Delicate Wreath Designs – Set 2.

The picture in the bottom shows an other project. The artist Gudrun Hartwig made the design for the intriguing embroidery „hellebores and star“. The not symmetrical design measures approximately 28 cm X 32.5 cm. The hand line drawing has a price of 12.50 €. If you are interested in purchasing, please email me with your request.

Back to Top