Schwalm embroidery uses a finite number of motifs. Always changing combinations (motifs and colours) and arrangements decorate – in a surprisingly large number of attractive patterns – the relatively small areas of the cap bottoms. Here I will give a small insight into them.
Not all of the templates I have on hand are crafted with precision, and the caps – due to their age – are sometimes a little bit worn, but the opulence of these small traditional accessories are clearly visible.
As far as possible, I will first show the underlying template and then different embroidered examples.
One heart with four tulips and three rosettes
One heart with four tulips and three starflowers
and similar examples in red with green and gold,
and in black with green and purple.
One heart with four tulips and three pinks,
and another version of the same design
embroidered with wool in green and red,
and again in green with purple,
in black with green and purple,
and again in black with white. The black-and-white examples show very clearly that different emphases can be established with different colour placements.
slightly modified in green with purple.
slightly modified in green with purple.
Five hearts, two tulips, and two pinks
black with purple/pink and green
black with purple/pink and green,
Vessel with one tulip, four hearts, and two pinks
in green (much faded) with purple,
in two different greens with purple,
and again in green with purple,
in green with red, purple, and yellow,
and in purple/pink with black.
Vessel with one tulip and six hearts
in green with purple, partially embroidered with wool,
The last two examples clearly show that individual interpretation can vary significantly in spite of using the same templates.
Although the Schwalm costume is associated with Little Red Riding Hood, this overview shows that red caps did not predominate. I realize that this overview is based on my collection, however I think it is a true representation because red caps were only worn up to the marriage; all other colour combinations were worn from the marriage to the end of life – a much longer period of time.
This first part has shown a wide range of different patterns; a second part will follow showing even more patterns.
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