new schwalm book

This is another recent addition to my bookshelf, a book on Schwalm embroidery. It was recommended to me by Linda, a friend blogger from Australia. It was written by a German lady, Luzine Happel, who comes from the area where the Schwalm embroidery originates.
I had to order the book directly from the author, e-mail leuchtbergverlag@aol.com.
It is a very well written book, with very clear instruction and photographs. I would recommend this book to anyone interested in Schwalm embroidery. I consider it better then the book I had already, by Christine Bishop. Although I will still carry on with the sampler from Christine Bishop's book, I look forward to making a tablecloth from Luzine's book.

what am I stitching now?

I have had this book for a long time and every time I looked at it, I just wanted to get stitching, but then I looked at the details... and I put it back on the shelf.
But last night I actually started. It is going to be a slow work, because quite a bit of it is new to me.
Schwalm embroidery is of a German origin, very similar to Hedebo from Denmark.
It incorporates various surface stitches, pulled fabric, drawn thread, needlelace and needleweaving. Traditional design is based on 'tree of life', which include hearts, tulips, the sun, pine cones, flowers, fruit, leaves, dove...
To practice as many stitches as possible, I have decided to make a sampler.





And there is the Fabric book cover, which I have been collecting bits for, but at the moment I just don't seem to have any inspiration as to the design. It would a shame to spoil the lovely piece of silk I have chosen for it.


I am also working on Tail Feathers quilt, see post 9th April.