I’ve been visiting my grandparents, so I have photos of more treasures to show you! My great-great-great-grandmother made this hardanger table runner in 1910. It’s a hundred years old! Here it is lying flat:
I couldn’t get the camera to focus well on the entire runner, so here are a couple of closeup photos where you can see the design.
And finally, here is a closeup shot where the stitching is visible:
You can find more resources for hardanger embroidery (tutorials, free designs,and kits) in previous posts in my hardanger embroidery category.
embroidery for ducks 
Wow! Lovely! So even and such good tension!
I inherited everything from silver candlesticks to a sewing box to buttons from my grandmother and I treasure them all dearly. To think she used them, and now I am, so many years later. Someone stole the box of jet buttons over 20 years ago, and I’m STILL in mourning for them! (I still have the non-jet button box, thankfully)
It is absolutely gorgeous! I inherited a good number of embroidered dresser scarves and a couple of table cloths and I cherish those as well. I’ve never tried hardanger, not sure I want to, I think I might possibly go blind with white on white. The eyes are not what they used to be.
Well, I was thinking of trying hardanger but not with white-on-white!
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Hannah, I am so glad you posted these photos. We have to remember that in 1910 embroiderers did not have the benefit of good lighting! I wonder how long it took to complete this!
Gwendoline
It’s so large, it must’ve taken ages.
Hardanger creates a surprisingly lacy effect, considering that it is usually worked on a relatively heavy fabric. I’ve done a few small pieces, but I always find that cutting the threads is a rather terrifying moment…!
Yes, you really can’t magically take it back after cutting them wrong.