Heavenly Hardanger Pincushion & Scissor Keep

Another Hardanger treasure for you! This was one of a series of cross stitch and Hardanger embroideries now reinvented as a lovely plump pincushion. The design was worked on 28-count linen using stranded cottons (floss) for all the stitching apart from the Hardanger, which was worked in a space-dyed cotton thread. The stitches used include Kloster Blocks, cross stitch, satin stitch, needleweaving, French knots and dove’s eye.

The completed piece of embroidery was hand finished and then well stuffed with polyester wadding. I have added a vintage linen button, a twisted cord and a pair of beautiful Italian chatelaine scissors.

The pincushion measures 3.5in (9cm) square and the front and back seam is covered with a twisted cord. It will be supplied wrapped and gift boxed to include 2 pearl pins and the scissors.

Hardanger embroidery is traditionally stitched using white, or off-white thread that matches the background fabric. I have always enjoyed adding colour, especially using a variegated thread so that I can’t quite predict where each subtly different shade of thread will end up. This was the inspiration for this pincushion featuring a Hardanger heart motif. I combined it with favourite sampler motifs for a bold design.