Playing with paint

Playing with paint
abstract art

11 October 2011

Memory Lane Monday - Schwalm Embroidery

Some years ago, I had the opportunity to join a group of embroiderers led by a lady called Ada, and I travelled to a town called Maryborough each Wednesday which was about an hour drive from home.

In her book Schwalm Embroidery Techniques and Designs, Christine Bishop a well known and respected embroiderer from South Australia, writes in her introduction about the history of Schwalm Embroidery.  It is a book well worth having in your library.

She writes that Schwalm is a form of late eighteenth to nineteenth century whitework embroidery which incorporates surface stitches, pulled fabric, drawn thread, needlelace and needleweaving.   Traditional design efforts are based on the 'tree of life'..which include hearts, tulips, the sun, pine cones, flowers, fruit, leaves, tendrils and the pigeon or dove.

So here are photos of my efforts at this wonderful style of embroidery which I love and get a lot of satisfaction from.

close up of supper cloth design
Corner design of centre of  large white cloth
Cushion
Cushion
Heart design on cushion
Come visit next Monday for another down memory lane










16 comments:

  1. What beautiful white work! Exquisite!

    My first stitch love was embroidery.

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  2. How beautiful, Shirley, well done! I adore Schwalm embroidery!
    I am still in the "sampler" stage :)

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  3. Hi Shirley, Thanks for becoming a new Follower on my Blog. I have just had a quick peek at your blog- I'll definitely be back to read back further. You have some lovely work!! Always great to make a new friend, and so much fun when we live in different hemispheres and experiencing opposite seasons. Wish we were heading into spring and summer instead of winter, but I DO enjoy the change of the seasons. I'll look forward to your summer flowers, when we are getting snowstorms......

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  4. Absolutely gorgeous Shirley - beautifully executed, and wonderful filling stitches. The heart at the bottom is just perfect. I love the Schwalm technique.

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  5. You are one very talented lady Shirley, that white work is to die for. Cheers

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  6. I have always loved whitework Shirley and your Schwalm embroidery is exceptional. Happy stitching.

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  7. Oh my - how beautiful is this!! I so admire anyone who can do this type of embroidery. Love it!

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  8. The supper cloth designs are divine. I love your cushions too. It is beautiful work Shirley.

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  9. So beautiful, Shirley, such lovely work, I love looking at it.

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  10. Adorable and charming schwalm embroideries!

    Best wishes,
    Tatyana

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  11. Schwalm's beauty is unmatched to anything else,isn't it? My Schwalm is still incomplete.Hopefully I'll pick it up again,once Iam well and healthy.
    Thanks for visiting and leaving a comment,Shirely.I have just completed my second course of antibiotics,now have to get some tests done again to see where I stand.
    Take care my dear,
    Hugs,
    Deepa

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  12. When I grow up and I want to be able to do all the things you do!!!! Beautiful and breathtaking work!

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  13. What a beautiful and very delicate work. I love this type of embroidery.

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  14. Very-very nice...so romantic *)

    Helena_VS
    *)

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