Smoyg - and the Peacock Party

Last week I started something new.  It's the Smoyg table runner that I've had tucked away since June last year.

I bought this book and the kit from Yvette Stanton of Vetty Creations at the Sydney Quilt Show last year.  Yvette writes beautiful embroidery books.  She researches the origins of different styles of embroidery, and then writes it all up in a book, illustrates it with beautiful photos, and writes patterns for everyone to try.

This book is all about pattern darning from Norway.  The stitches themselves are very simple running stitches, but the Norwegian people developed very interesting patterns which are featured in the book.

I've chosen to make the band sampler because it includes a wide range of patterns and colours.  I didn't want to spend months stitching a piece in just one colour! The thread is Laine fine d'Aubusson by Au Ver a Soie - fine tapestry wool for those who don't speak French.

The special thing about pattern darning is that the stitches are made vertically.  Normally we work horizontally across the fabric, but in this case it's all done vertically.  Counting is super important, because a small mistake will stand out from the clean diagonal lines.  Sorry this photo isn't great - it's a very cloudy day today. I'll post more photos as this piece grows.

So, that's what I've been up to.  What's everyone else been up? Feel free to link up and share a recent blog post below.  I didn't get to visit any of your posts last week sorry - I promise to visit the ALL the posts this week though.

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