Free Naversom Tutorial
Written and Designed by
Janet M. Davies
Naversom comes from Sweden; pieces have been found from the 17th to 18th
century. The word Naversom means "Birch-bark Embroidery". The village girls used
to stretch the embroidery over the pliable birch bark frames and take it with them to
stitch, while in the fields watching the animals. The frames were soft enough to roll up
to carry with them. The embroidery was used to decorate household items, borders on large
cloths, alter cloths, lampshades, wall hangings and bier-bands.
The embroidery was originally stitched from
the back of the fabric, for when the fabric was stretched on the bark frame, the front
could not be reached to easily until stitching was finished. Traditionally linen fabric
and linen thread were used and stitched in white. In some areas of Sweden colours were
used to stitch motifs in the designs.
What makes Naversom stand out is the lattice
of fabric threads, (Draw out 2 fabric threads, leave 3 fabric threads, combination) that
are totally withdrawn from the fabric before any stitching is done. Also the combination
of geometric shapes with the combination of stitches not found together in other styles of
embroidery.
Today Pearl Cotton threads are used more
readily than linen threads. 32# linen fabric is a practical modern fabric to use. Colours
are quite common with the fabric or thread. If using a dark coloured fabric make sure that
the dye of the fabric colour has completely sunk through the threads. For when you
withdraw threads from the dark fabric sometimes, the dye has not soaked in where the
threads cross each other and you may end up with white spots in the fabric threads.
With the moderns frames the embroidery can be
stitched from the front of the fabric. Today’s embroiderer can stitch towards a
traditional look or add beads or metallic threads etc to add a bit more excitement to the
embroidery. Fillet Darning patterns are a good source of inspiration when designing darned
motifs for your design. The edges of mats are turned over twice and stitched down. Sewing
cotton can be used.
www.jmddesigns.co.nz
All
design photos have been
designed and stitched
by Janet M. Davies unless stated otherwise
The full mat measures 25x30 cm (10x 12')
Only half the mat is shown in above photo.
Above Janet stitched from a Piecework's magazine
design
(1995).
The right hand design is a piece Janet tutors, 15cm (6 inches).
The above mat design is 30cm
(12') square.
Above design is 30x 17cm (12x 7 inches)
The full mat measures 20 cm (8
inches)
Note the contemporary use of beads on the white stitching.
Only quarter of the mat is shown above.
Metallic and variegated threads have been used in these Christmas inspired
designs.
Each 10cm (4 inches) square.
Below are the main stitches used:
Darning, Goose
Eye, Diagonal stitch, Ground stitch.
The Darning stitch is woven through the fabric
lattice.
Strands of Pearl 5 cotton thread can be used.....
A variation of the Darning stitch is used
sometimes and
called the Diagonal stitch. Pink Diagonal stitch......
The Goose Eye stitch is stitched with tension.
Pearl 8 or 12 cotton threads can be used.....
The Ground stitch is stitched with an ever so
slight tension.
Pearl 12 cotton thread can be used......
