Judith’s First Schwalm Whitework

Almost exactly a year ago, Judith Ebsworth from Australia contacted me with the words:
„I have hot iron pencil transferred my design from your book ‘Basic Principles of Schwalm Whitework’. The problem is that two areas haven’t transferred very clearly“.

She asked me for advice, which I was happy to give.

She let me know: „I have had the book for about 3 years and have just started as I have been gathering courage!„

Then she set out all by herself on the long journey, embroidered countless Coral Knots, the many Blanket stitch half-eyelet scallops

all the leaves and the Chain stitches.

Every few months she sent a picture to confirm the accuracy of her stitches.

When one looks at the embroidery, one don’t get the idea that it could be done by a beginner.
All her stitches are very well done – the Coral Knots, the Chain stitches, the half-eyelet scallops. Also the Satin stitches turned out well, even it is not easy to work them on a not soo densly woven linen. (Densly woven linen is better for all outline stitches, more loosely woven linen is better for thread withdrawing. So to start with Schwalm embroidery I recommend to use more loosely woven linen.)

Amazed at the speed of her progress, I asked if this wasn’t too big a project for a beginner. She answered: „The repetition of the stitches on four sides of the cloth is such a good way to practice and consolidate the learning. Sometimes I did feel as though I would never finish!

I will do more Schwalm as I love the finished effect and enjoy the stitching – but then smaller projects first.“

The peahole hem is also excellently worked.

In mid-February – only about 10 months after the start – the finished cloth lay washed and perfectly ironed on her table.

Doesn’t it look gorgeous?