Hardanger for the holidays
by HML
After completing the band sampler, I had the great (or insane) idea that if I could successfully finish one small band of Hardanger embroidery, the next logical step was to make a whole bundle of table runners and centerpieces for Christmas gifts. Well, we’ll see how far I get with that. Beyond the jump are small spoilers — teaser photos and a few details about some of the projects I’m working on — so if you want to avoid any hints of what the elf sweatshop is up to, steer clear. Look for an after-Christmas post describing all the projects in detail with plenty of photos.
I started the first project at the end of July. It’s a centerpiece approximately 20 inches (51 cm) square, stitched on white Hardanger fabric (22 count, double threads) using DMC’s variegated blue perle cotton. The design is based on a 1905 centerpiece in the Vesterheim Norwegian-American museum, with a few modifications: in addition to making it blue and white I’ve changed a 
couple of the motifs. Although the Vesterheim pattern doesn’t include many details (like where to cut!) I chose this particular design because it looked like it would be easy for a beginner — and it has been so far. The openwork uses only dove’s eyes and picots, none of the fancier fillings. The design also has an appealing blend of openwork and uncut fabric — enough to show off the lacy effects Hardanger is capable of producing without being too fragile or fussy.
Completing the surface stitches took a little under one month. Cutting and filling in the openwork is well underway.
I began the second project while we were on vacation in mid-August. It’s another square centerpiece, named “Mindy”, found in Lillill Thuve’s book Vakre Hardanger Design (Orion Forlag, 2000). This centerpiece measures about 18 inches (45 cm) square, stitched on light blue Hardanger fabric with white DMC perle cotton comprising most of the surface stitches and some dark blue perle cotton accents. Again, this design doesn’t feature any especially complicated fillings in the openwork. The white stitches on a blue background give the piece a Wedgwood look.
The kloster blocks are complete; once the Vesterheim centerpiece is done I’ll return to the Mindy centerpiece and finish up the surface stitches.
The third piece “Anna” is also from Vakre Hardanger Design. I’ll be using ivory Hardanger fabric and the Caron Collection’s beautiful Watercolours and Wildflowers hand-dyed variegated threads (color scheme “Tiramisu”) to stitch this table runner.
A secret project is also in the works. Its recipient made a fairly specific request so she thinks she knows what she’s getting, but I have a surprise or two in mind. This project will also be stitched on ivory Hardanger fabric with a pair of Caron Collection Watercolours and Wildflowers threads.
As it turns out, Hardanger isn’t just a lovely embroidery style, it’s part of my family history. Some of my Norwegian ancestors lived in the Hardanger region. Here’s a photo of my great-grandmother Petra Kathinka wearing her bunad, or national costume. Click on the small image for a better look at the embroidery on the apron and blouse. She died before I was born but it’s fun to think that we could have worked on embroidery projects together … although with her years of experience she would probably call me crazy for tackling all these Christmas presents.
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Tags: family history, handmade gifts, hardanger
