Djævlelsbid (C) – placemat – Gerda Bengtsson (GB)
- Motif: Devil’s-bit scabious with slender stems, small round purple flower heads and a base of elongated green leaves. The plant’s roots are visible at the bottom, presenting the entire plant as a botanical motif.
- Size: 30 × 41 cm
- Thread: Danish Flower Thread
- Fabric: Haandarbejdets Fremme (HF) – Linen 12B
- Designer: Gerda Bengtsson
Djævlelsbid (C) – placemat – Gerda Bengtsson (GB)
This placemat is decorated with a refined embroidery of devil’s-bit scabious, depicted as a classic botanical motif. The plant is positioned along the left side of the placemat, where it rises from the ground with delicate roots at the base and its characteristic flowers at the top.
At the base, a cluster of green leaves spreads out in a dense rosette. The leaves are elongated and slightly pointed, forming a lush foundation around the plant. From this leaf rosette several slender stems rise upward through the motif, giving the plant an elegant and airy silhouette.
Along the stems small leaves appear at intervals, breaking the long vertical lines and adding variation to the plant’s structure. At the top of the stems the flowers develop into small round heads. These are embroidered in soft purple tones that create a gentle contrast with the green stems and leaves.
The flower heads appear in light clusters, with some placed slightly higher than others. This variation creates a natural rhythm in the motif and gives the plant a lively and graceful appearance. The pale purple colours also give the embroidery a calm and harmonious character.
The embroidery is worked in cross stitch with Danish Flower Thread on linen. The fine stitches highlight the slender stems, the small flowers and the leaves at the base of the plant. A green border frames the placemat and provides a balanced and elegant finish to the design.
The result is a classic embroidery with a botanical motif that adds an elegant and nature-inspired element to the table setting.
About Haandarbejdets Fremme
Haandarbejdets Fremme has played a central role in Danish embroidery tradition since 1928. The association is known for its designs in which plants and flowers from nature are depicted with precision and respect for their natural forms.
Gerda Bengtsson is one of the most influential designers in the history of Haandarbejdets Fremme. Her embroidery motifs are inspired by plants from Nordic nature and are characterised by harmonious colours, clear forms and a timeless expression.
