Tjærenellike (L) – doily / napkin – Gerda Bengtsson (GB)
- Motif: Soapwort with two slender stems, small pink flowers gathered in light clusters and a base of narrow green leaves at the root.
- Size: 30 × 41 cm
- Thread: Danish Flower Thread
- Fabric: Haandarbejdets Fremme (HF) – Linen 12B
- Designer: Gerda Bengtsson
Tjærenellike (L) – doily / napkin – Gerda Bengtsson (GB)
This doily / napkin is decorated with a refined embroidery of the plant soapwort, rendered as a botanical motif where the entire plant is shown from root to flower. The motif is placed along the left side, creating a balanced composition between the detailed embroidery and the calm open surface of the fabric.
At the bottom of the motif, the root is visible together with a small cluster of leaves at ground level. The leaves are narrow and grass-like, spreading out around the base in varying green tones. They form a dense foundation from which the stems rise.
From this base, two slender stems grow upward through the motif. The stems are embroidered in warm pink and reddish tones, creating a subtle contrast to the green leaves. Small leaves appear along the stems, emphasising the plant’s light and upright growth.
At the top, the flowers unfold in small branched clusters. They consist of many tiny blossoms gathered in airy groups. The flowers are worked in clear pink tones, giving the motif a lively and decorative expression. The light clusters create an elegant silhouette, where the blossoms seem to float above the stems.
The embroidery is worked in cross stitch with Danish Flower Thread on linen. The fine stitches highlight both the slender lines of the stems and the delicate flowers. A green border frames the design, completing the composition with a classic and harmonious finish.
The result is an elegant embroidery with a botanical motif, where the delicate flowers of soapwort bring a light and summery expression 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 botanical motifs, where plants and flowers 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.
