Traditional Schwalm Bodice Sleeve Cuff Design A

Presented here is a very finely embroidered traditional Schwalm bodice sleeve cuff. It has an extravagant, intricate, and rare design. (Because I did not want to unstitch the sleeve to be able to get one photo of the complete border, I put together three pictures.)

The embroidery on the cuff clearly shows the wide range of creative possibilities Schwalm whitework holds ready. In this design you will find many different shapes filled with 2 simple withdrawn-thread patterns, 2 Limet patterns, and 13 openwork patterns; half-eyelet scallops, knife points, knife points with Blanket stitches, 2 short–2 long and Eyelash stitches as well as double rows of Coral Knot stitches and double rows of Chain stitches for outlining the single shapes; tendrils, small leaves, and flowers as well as Blanket stitch eyelets for filling the open areas between the motifs.

Details of the embroidery and all the filling patterns I will show in enlarged pictures in my next post.

I commissioned a graphic designer to make professionally drawn designs of the traditional Schwalm whitework border pictured above. I am pleased to announce that these professional linedrawn designs are now available as downloadable files.

Bodice sleeve cuff border A1

line-drawn designs
A1 is a set of 3 drawings: a. The drawing is nearly the same as seen in the original embroidery and
in the original size; b. one more, a similar drawing, but the motif outlines have been slightly
changed – also in the original size; c. the drawing is similar to b, but changed to a rectangle and d.
the drawing is similar to c, but enlarged 150%.

Bodice sleeve cuff border A2

line-drawn designs
The upper section of the traditional border was made up to an endless design in the original size. A matching corner design was created. So, with these design sections an arbitrarily long border, a small and a large square, and an oblong can be worked.
(Many more creative possibilities can be discovered by adding the lower section of the border, shown in line-drawn designs A3.)

Bodice sleeve cuff border A3

line-drawn designs
The lower section of the traditional border was made up to an endless design in both the original size and enlarged 150%. A matching corner designs were created. So, with these design sections an arbitrarily long border, a small and a large square, and an oblong can be worked.
(Many more creative possibilities can be discovered by adding the upper section of the border, shown in line-drawn designs A2.)
Also two different, closely filled rectangular designs were created; however, these have to be enlarged according to personal preference.

Bodice sleeve cuff border A4

line-drawn designs
This is a variant of the original design. It is an enlarged layout offering interesting creative possibilities for borders, asymmetrical oblongs, or an extravagant square design.

My collection contains many more pretty examples of Schwalm whitework worth seeing – both traditional and contemporary pieces. I would like to show you all of these treasures.
However, I am in a conundrum. I want to share my love of this regional embroidery, but I am finding it difficult to justify the expense of doing so. It takes an immense amount of time to do all the research for my posts and to make them ready for publishing. In addition, I also have the significant cost associated with web design and maintenance, English language editing, a designer who realizes new and original designs, a graphic designer who produces crisp and professional line drawings, and the acquisition of significant Schwalm embroideries.

I evaluated the investment of time and money to produce books, and I have come to the conclusion that it is not worthwhile to produce any more new books or catalogues. I can share things much more comprehensively and easily on my blog. But all the expenses listed above still apply to maintaining a vibrant blog!

So, here are some things I have considered and decided. At first I thought about installing a paywall on my website and to show my best pieces for a fee. This is very laborious, and I would probably find the pictures of my embroidery pinned on various internet “walls” around the world anyway.
So, I chose not to pursue this plan.

Now I have made the decision to periodically offer small items for purchase. With the acquisition you receive not only a nice item found nowhere else but also the satisfaction of knowing that you are supporting my efforts of keeping this fascinating embroidery alive.

I hope you will consider a visit to my website as a visit to an interesting embroidery “museum,” library, or store – you will be able to visit my website any time and to stay for as long as you want to find assembled information that is available nowhere else. You will be able to view beautiful embroideries that would be difficult to find in any but the most specialized museums, to learn new things, and to buy various products.

With your continued support I look forward to bringing to you – via my blog – the best of Schwalm whitework history, design, and instruction.

THANK YOU!