HARDANGER EMBROIDERY
BY DR. C. D. JAYAWEERA BANDARA
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
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 (1st stage)
PHOTO 3 2nd stage PHOTO 4 3rd stage
The
2nd stage and the 3rd stages were done with
thinner white thread.
PHOTO 5
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
3rd motif shows weaving done.
4th 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 2nd 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 3rd,4th and 5th 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.
I am really pleased to post this wonderful article from Chira. It is well presented and shows how patient she is and how skilled she is. It comes as no surprise as she has shown before how well she combines her talent as a skilled Ophthalmic surgeon with her hobbies. We are very proud of you Chira.
ReplyDeleteMahendra
ReplyDeleteThank you very much for taking a lot of care and trouble in posting my article.
I appreciate greatly.
When you asked me to send some more paintings recently I said that I had sent 220 odd paintings to the Blog and that I don't have anything to paint and also that I have put aside those items used for painting.
I then mentioned to you that I am doing Hardanger embroidery now. You said to send to the Blog. I said men won't appreciate embroidery, you said to send. I had completed one tablemat but I had not taken any photos of the steps. I said I will take photos of every step and send.
I hope my Hardanger embroidery will be appreciated not only by women but also by men.
I must say you are taking great pains to keep our Blog alive. Long live our Blog !
Wishing you all the best.
Chira
Dear Chira, I found your article really fascinating. Thank you for documenting the process step by step, to help us understand how it is done. I remember some of the table cloths and napkins (serviettes) that were laid out on the tables of my grandmothers. There were similar techniques used (pulled threads, cutouts etc) so there may be similar embroidery styles in our traditional handicrafts too.
ReplyDeleteI like to sew, from time to time, but I never had the patience for embroidery. I can see why you were a good ophthalmologist. You needed to be meticulous and patient just like when you are now, doing this type of intricate embroidery. I think Mahen said the same thing in his comment,
I am curious; how did you hear about this type of embroidery, because I had never heard of Hardanger embroidery.
By the way, there are many men (mostly young guys) who like to knit and do needlepoint, so it is not just a female hobby. My grandson took some "lessons" in knitting from my daughter (his aunty) but I'm not sure if he is still knitting.
Real men are not afraid to own up to their feminine side!
Srianee
ReplyDeleteThank you very much for your comment which I appreciate greatly.
I saw my daughter in law's mother had done Hardanger embroidery. I will whatsapp to you one of her embroidery. She had gone for some classes. I was so impressed that I decided to do Hardanger embroidery.
I got her help to do the 1st tablemat.
To do the 'looping picot' was the most difficult. I had to unpick several times.I don't give up easily.
I went through the u tube and learnt to do it well. I have mastered the technique very well now.
When are you coming to Sri Lanka to settle down ?
Chira
Dear Chira,
ReplyDeleteI am absolutely speechless with admiration at your beautiful creations.
The fact that you are able to learn new techniques that require perseverance, and patience is absolutely amazing and reveals strength of your character!
Though I love hand embroidery and smocking, and enjoyed sewing for my two children and six grandchildren it's very much a thing of the past. The far from perfect vision, the slightly unsteady hands and difficulties in concentration have made them impossible!
Do continue to delight us all with your creativeness.
Suri
Suri
ReplyDeleteI am so thankful to you for appreciating my embroidery and admiring my handwork.
I am surprised at myself for knitting a cardigan according to a new method and sewing a Hardanger embroidery tablemat and finding them published in our Blog.
If there is a will there is a way. I am older than you, I have unsteady fingers at times but perseverance and self determination wins the day I feel.
Thanking you.
Chira
It is always a pleasure to post the various talents of our batchmates. Chira has always responded to me pleas to post on the blog! I wish more would. Our active medical days are over and it is good to exchange what we "old timers" do to keep busy. In my case , it is art, music, golf, philosophy, entertaining friends, reading books, catching up on almost ay tnopic on YouTube (wonderful source of knowledge), and doing a bit of voluntary stuff.
ReplyDeleteMahendra
ReplyDeleteI was very thankful to you for posting this article for which I posted a comment. You mentioned my name again in this comment.
I am sorry I couldn't thank you for the lovely comment you made in the first comment. It is a pleasure to note your appreciation of my handwork.
Thank you ever so much.
Chira
Hello Chira
ReplyDeleteThe embroidery you’ve shared is delicate, charming, and truly beautiful. I can only imagine the thoughtful planning, patience, and incredible skill that went into creating such captivating work. The time and focus required must feel almost meditative—a peaceful escape from the rush of everyday life.
Thank you for keeping our blog vibrant with your lovely creations. It was such a pleasure meeting you and your daughter last year in England—memories we will always treasure.
Nihal
ReplyDeleteThank you very much for your lovely comment appreciating my Hardanger embroidery.
When I started doing this embroidery I never thought of sending it to our Blog as I thought men won't appreciate it. Mahendra said to send it. I had to take photos when I started doing the 2nd tablemat to show the steps.
If you look at the reply I gave Srianee you will understand how I decided to do this embroidery. It was very difficult to do the 'looping picots' I had to unpick several times. Then I went through the You tube and managed to master the technique. It was sheer determination that made me proceed with it. I don't give up easily. If there is awill there is a way.
It was lovely meeting all of you in September 2024 in London. Those memories I will always treasure.
Chira