This is a magnificently complex rectangular design from Lilly’s Legacy, a collection of Hungarian folk embroidery patterns drawn by graphic artist Lilly Baróthi Zathureczky between the 1930’s & the 1960’s. Today’s design was drawn in 1945, while Lilly was living in a refugee camp in Reggio Emilia, Italy.
Unlike most of her other drawings I’ve posted so far, this one is not completely colored. Just a corner has been painted, with the outline of the rest of the design drawn in ink.
I love seeing the clear lines of the design, with only part of the design colored in. Admittedly, it makes it easier for me to translate the original into a pattern – but that’s not the reason I like the exposed outlines. I just like this “half-completed” look – the design itself is very clear, without the impediment of color – but the colored area adds a splash of the artist’s imaginings for the piece.
You certainly aren’t limited to stitching Lilly’s choices of color in these designs. I find the combination of dark green, black, and brown a bit heavy, personally, but the bright red really jumps out, doesn’t it?
The original intentions for the design aren’t clear to me. I think it would make a beautiful trolley cloth, or a decorative pillow case. With a little manipulation in the design, you may be able to work it down into more of a square. And you can even cut back some of the side elements, leaving the design just on ends. Lots of possibilities!
This is a full line drawing of the design, which you may download in as a PDF (prints about 10″ high and 6″ wide, and can be enlarged on a photocopier):
Hungarian Hand Embroidery Design #9: Floral Rectangle (PDF)
I’ve also provided an enlarged corner repeat of the design, in case you want to enlarge the piece significantly. Here’s the PDF:
Hungarian Hand Embroidery Design #9: Floral Rectangle – Corner Repeat (PDF)
You can find some of Lilly’s other beautiful Hungarian hand embroidery patterns here on Needle ‘n Thread, in their own section on the Hand Embroidery Patterns page.
I hope you enjoy this one – and I hope that someone out there gets a chance to stitch it some day! If you do work up any of Lilly’s patterns, I’d love to see the outcome. Drop me a line and I’ll tell you how to send photos!
Until tomorrow, then – enjoy your day – and stay cool!
I mean that literally, but if you want to take it as “Yo, Dude. Stay cool!” you may!
