finishing a hardanger piece

by Carolyn
(Powell Wyoming)

When finishing your hardanger embrodery piece do you do anything additional to cut along the edge?


Carol answers...
There are a number of ways to finish a hardanger piece, Carolyn.

One of the simplest is to work a row of buttonhole stitch around the edge, with the "rolled" edge of the stitching on the outside of the work, as shown in the free bookmark lesson on the site. Then you can cut, from the back, close to the edge of the stitching.

You can also work an openwork buttonhole edging which can give a pretty effect.

If you prefer something more delicate you can turn a hem and secure it with four sided stitch, 3 sided stitch, nun's stitch or a simple drawn thread hemstitch. I will be covering more of these stitches on the site soon.

You could also do what I am doing on a tablecloth I am stitching at the moment. That is to turn a small hem and then attach a crocheted lace edging to finish the piece.