Within the Hedebo region of Heden (the area between Copenhagen, Roskilde and Køge), the style of Syede Hedeboblonder was first made in buttonhole stitch. Later examples using Hedebo rings with open scallop stitch are also found. The buttonholes are made by hand, using a white linen thread around which buttonhole stitches are worked.
In the case of the older, eighteenth century Hedebo embroideries, the edges are modest in appearance and size. They were often used for the shirt collar and the linings of sleeve cuffs. From the early 1800’s, the Hedebo edges developed into richer designs, but still served only as decorative edging. In particular, it was used to decorate shift and shirt collars. Over time, these edgings developed into sumptuous expressions of the embroidery art, including motifs depicting flowers and geometric forms. More modest versions of this work can be found all over Denmark, but the more elaborate forms were only produced in the Hedebo area and in the northern part of Zealand.
See also the TRC Needles entries on Hedebo embroidery, An introduction and Hedebo embroidery. The different styles.
Sources:
- BUUS, H. (2008). Hedebosyning: en verden af variationer: katalog (Vol. 1. udgave), [Greve]: Greve Museum.
- HARBOESGAARD, J (2010). Udklipshedebo. Hedebo Cutwork, Jelling Bogtrykkeri A/S.
- http://www.grevemuseum.dk (retrieved 13th May 2016).
Digital source of illustration (retrieved 6th July 2016).
LG