Pastinak - placemat - Gerda Bengtsson (GB)

Pastinak - placemat - Gerda Bengtsson (GB)

A botanical motif featuring parsnip

"Pastinak" (Parsnip) - placemat - Gerda Bengtsson (GB) is a classic cross stitch embroidery featuring a tall parsnip plant. The plant is positioned along the right side of the placemat, where it grows upwards from a visible root at the bottom. The slender stem guides the eye towards the yellow flower heads gathered at the top of the motif.

The design has a calm and botanical expression. The parsnip is shown with green leaves, delicate side stems and small yellow flowers arranged in umbrella-shaped clusters. At the top, the flowers spread out in airy groups. The small yellow details stand clearly against the pale linen and give the embroidery a fresh appearance.

At the bottom, the root is stitched in warm yellow and orange shades. It gives the motif visual weight and presents the plant as a complete botanical study. This makes the placemat distinctive because the motif does not only show the flower, but also the plant’s growth from root to blossom.

Green border and table setting

The placemat features a green border framing the pale linen background. The border creates calmness around the motif and gives the design a finished appearance. The open left-hand side makes the placemat practical to use, as plates, glasses and cutlery can be placed without covering the embroidery completely.

The colours are natural and balanced. Green shades in the leaves, stem and border create harmony throughout the design. The yellow flowers and warm-toned root add brightness and variation. Together, these elements make the motif suitable for summer dining, lunch settings or a simple botanical table arrangement.

The size of 30 × 42 cm is ideal for a single place setting. The placemat can be used on its own as an elegant textile detail or combined with other botanical placemats to create a coordinated table setting featuring different plants.

Haandarbejdets Fremme and materials

The embroidery is stitched with Danish Flower Thread on Haandarbejdets Fremme (HF) linen fabric 10B. The linen gives the placemat a classic and natural texture. Danish Flower Thread adds lively depth to the green and yellow shades, perfectly complementing Gerda Bengtsson’s precise botanical forms.

Haandarbejdets Fremme is known for embroidery designs of high quality and clear motifs. In this design, that tradition appears through the simple composition and botanical accuracy. Gerda Bengtsson has created a motif where the parsnip stands lightly and elegantly along the edge of the placemat.

Parsnip is especially suitable for the lightly experienced embroiderer. The motif is manageable, yet the delicate flower heads and small leaves require attention and precision. The border provides a calm structure throughout the stitching process. The finished result is a classic placemat with a bright botanical expression for the table.