Lappone: Using the needle instead of a loom / Med nålen som vävstol

fredag 27 februari 2015

Using the needle instead of a loom / Med nålen som vävstol

Vävsöm by Rita Sehlstedt

Today I visited a very nice exhibition at the Upplandsmuseet in Uppsala. It is all about an embroidery technique that looks as if it was woven, in Swedish it is called "vävsöm". I am not sure what the correct English name for this technique is, but checking the internet I think that "German Brick Stitch" could be it.

Vävsöm by Rita Sehlstedt

In Sweden this technique goes back to the Middle Ages, and it has had a revival in the last years after an exhibition in Kalmar. The Kalmar Hemslöjdsförening arranged workshops and courses and the interest for the technique gained momentum. They also sell embroidery kits that can be ordered via mail or telephone, see more information on their homepage.

Vävsöm by Rita Sehlstedt

All the items at the exhibition are made by Rita Sehlstedt and they are a true feast for the eye. The patterns are all based on old originals, most of them stunningly beautiful.

Vävsöm by Rita Sehlstedt

In the old days this technique was a way of making beautiful things with limited means. The result looks woven but could be made with a simple needle, you did not need an expensive loom to make them. This technique was also very "portable" which meant that you could carry your work with you and use spare moments to work on them.