Hardanger Embroidery- Dr C.D. Jayaweera Bandara

HARDANGER  EMBROIDERY

BY  DR. C. D. JAYAWEERA BANDARA

(Best viewed on a PC or a laptop- Mobiles no good! Speedy)

Hardanger Embroidery is a beautiful Norwegian embroidery that has counted thread and cutwork. That means that the stitches are made by counting the threads and making them in regular, even sizes on the fabric, and some of the background fabric is cut away.

Hardanger is a traditional district in the western part of Norway.

Hardanger embroidery is a form of embroidery traditionally worked with white thread on white even-weave linen or cloth.

Techniques include satin stitches and woven bars, leading to cutwork.

Two primary methods are used: drawn-thread work and counted-thread work.

Drawn- thread work removes threads to form patterns, while counted- thread work stitches over specific threads.

The Kloster stitch, made of satin stitches is essential for creating safe cutwork designs.

Tapestry needle is used. (Tip is slightly blunt)

Hardanger fabrics :-

These fabrics can be treated like Aida as they have two threads horizontally and vertically, giving a blocked appearance.

Modern Hardanger fabric is an evenweave cotton material woven with pairs of threads, typically 22pairs of threads, typically 22pairs per linear inch in both directions, referred to as 22-count.

HARDANGER EMBROIDERY OF A TABLE MAT

Items used:- PHOTO 1
Hardanger Fabric (seen below )
12-inch diameter circular frame
Tapestry needle ( Tip slightly blunt )
Fine scissors
Threads.                                  

                                  PHOTO 1                                                PHOTO 2

  Above  PHOTO 2  shows the Margin sewn with thicker white thread (1^st stage)         

                   

                              PHOTO 3   2^nd stage                    PHOTO 4   3^rd stage

 
The  2^nd stage and the 3^rd stages were done with thinner white thread.

                                                     PHOTO 5

Please note that up to now every design, 5 stitches are done and 4 threads are counted. 
Inside each coloured block seen in the above PHOTO 5.
‘EYELETS’ were done with lighter shades of green and pink threads as shown in this PHOTO  6 below.

                                                    PHOTO 6

                                              

                                                PHOTO 7

2^nd heart-shaped motif ( top row )shows certain areas cut and threads removed.  Note that the remaining threads are 4 in every direction.
3^rd motif shows weaving done.
4^th motif shows green, dark pink and white threads used in a particular design.

                                                PHOTO 8

This shows the completed design in the 4 motifs above with green, dark pink and white threads.

                                                    PHOTO 9

The 2^nd motif shows the diamond-shaped area was cut in certain areas and threads removed. Note that the remaining threads are always 4 in number.

The 3^rd,4^th and 5^th motifs show  ‘LOOPING PICOTS’ done.

                                                       PHOTO 10

This shows ‘LOOPING PICOTS’ done in all 5 motifs.

                                                           PHOTO  11

Completed table mat seen above.

                                                    PHOTO 12

This enlarged view is shown to appreciate the way the stitches were done and also to view the areas where the fabric was cut

Hardanger Embroidery is difficult to do. It needs a lot of concentration, patience, and it is time-consuming. It is very important to count the sewing threads always 5 and fabric threads always 4. If it is not done correctly, the fabric cannot be cut properly, and the threads cannot be removed. It is important to check the above regularly and unpick if there is a mistake, like doing cross stitching.

I have completed 2 tablemats and I hope to do 6 more. 

Cliches, Conformity and Curiosity

Cliches, Conformity and Curiosity

Speedy GSK 

Some thoughts on verbal and other experiences as a Medical Student... and after.

Cliché

A Cliché is defined as a phrase or opinion that is overused and betrays a lack of original thought. 

One of the most common clichés we still hear is when a Chairman at a Lecture introduces the lecturer. After a long preamble, he says, “without any further ado, I now invite Dr Shakes Perera to deliver the Prof Vel Knowne Lecture". 

Another one we had to get used to was when the Chairman says - "I like to make some short introductory comments before I request the speaker to deliver his lecture", and goes on and on for the next 15 min displaying his knowledge, completely forgetting (or ignoring) the fact that the audience came to listen to the Lecturer and not him!

Other examples are- “at the end of the day”, “think outside the box”, “pot calling the kettle black”, “be that as it may”, “plenty of fish in the sea”, “as time is limited”, “ a few words of introduction”, and the patient is “a poor historian”, "having said that", "to cut a long story short".

Conformity

Conformity is the act of matching one's attitudes, beliefs, and behaviours to those of a group or society, often driven by social pressure to fit in, a desire to be right, or the adoption of social roles. Conformity is popular because it fulfils fundamental psychological needs for acceptance, social harmony, and accuracy.

Standing out from the group can lead to being ostracised, ridiculed, or punished. Conforming helps avoid these negative consequences, providing a sense of safety and support. I feel that there was an "I am a Medical Student" image that we wanted to fit into.

Ragging was a result of conformity. The desire to crack “kunu jokes”, the type of hairstyles and dress favoured, the adoption of an attitude you do not favour because you want to conform, e.g., call a rural boy “godaya”, join a group of raggers, are all driven by a wsih for conformity 

Curiosity

Why? How? How do you know? What is the evidence? Belief or fact?

Curiosity is the ideal attitude for learning and acquiring knowledge; the attitude that aids in the development of the technique of taking a good history from a patient, and the attitude that facilitates using all available data to arrive at a diagnosis and management plan.

Some of our Teachers were exemplary in this respect. Notable examples - Viswa (O&G), Oliver Pieris, NDW Lionel, Wickrema Wijenaike, Ernie Pieris,  just to name a few.

Current common usage

We often hear words like "absolutely," "you know what", "incredible," "awesome," "cool," and "super" this and "super" that,  and with people starting every new paragraph with a "So..." when talking.