Prægtig skørhat – wall piece – Gerda Bengtsson (GB)

Prægtig skørhat – wall piece – Gerda Bengtsson (GB)

A red mushroom motif with forest floor details

"Prægtig skørhat" (Splendid Brittlegill) - wall piece - Gerda Bengtsson (GB) is a classic cross stitch embroidery with mushrooms as its motif. The design features three red brittlegill mushrooms in different heights. Two tall mushrooms stand to the left and centre of the composition, while a smaller mushroom appears at the lower right. This creates a beautiful vertical structure throughout the embroidery.

The mushroom caps are stitched in red and pink shades. Their pale undersides create contrast and make the mushroom forms stand out clearly. The stems are long, slender and light in colour, resting softly against the linen background. Around the mushrooms grow green plants, small leaves and delicate curling stems that tie the composition together and create the feeling of a forest floor.

The motif combines calmness with movement. The large mushroom caps create visual weight in the upper part of the design, while the green plants guide the eye throughout the composition. Small red accents among the leaves add extra life and connect the colours back to the mushroom caps.

Colours, forms and botanical details

Colour plays an important role in the overall expression. The red mushroom caps are bold, yet balanced by the softer green plants. The pale stems create openness within the motif, while warm yellow tones beneath the caps provide a natural transition between the red tops and light stems.

The delicate green vines make the embroidery feel light and lively. Some stems grow upwards beside the mushrooms, while others curl gently along the bottom and create a natural base. The leaves are stitched in several shades of green, giving the forest floor depth and variation. This makes the motif enjoyable to stitch while still remaining visually balanced.

The finished wall piece measures 20 × 30 cm, making it well suited for a smaller frame. The motif can hang alone as a simple botanical feature or be combined with other mushroom embroideries and nature-inspired wall pieces. The design works beautifully in both traditional and more minimalist interiors.

Haandarbejdets Fremme and materials

The embroidery is stitched with Danish Flower Thread on Haandarbejdets Fremme (HF) linen fabric 10B. The linen creates a light and natural background for the red, green and pale shades. Danish Flower Thread gives the colours a lively appearance that suits the mushrooms’ soft forms and the delicate surrounding plants.

Haandarbejdets Fremme is known for embroidery designs of high quality and clear motifs. In this design, that tradition can be seen in the precise composition and calm interpretation of nature. Gerda Bengtsson has created an embroidery where the mushrooms stand out clearly while the smaller details add character and richness.

Splendid Brittlegill is especially suitable for the lightly experienced embroiderer. The motif contains clear forms as well as many delicate colour transitions. The red caps, pale stems and green plants all require attention throughout the stitching process. In return, the finished result is a beautiful wall piece filled with nature, colour and classic embroidery charm.