My Embroidery Heritage

My maternal Polish heritage is the source of my embroidery or “broderia”. My late mother was my teacher and inspiration. She also taught me to sew, when I was a child. I will be forever grateful for learning both from her.

She made many of my clothes and as I grew into my teenage years I'd often ask her to make me blouses that would fit my long arms. Several times I asked for hand embroidery accents on the collar or cuffs.

My biggest "ask" was that she hand embroider colorful flowers on the waist and down the long sleeves of the wedding dress she made me. I've always cherished that special dress we designed together. She had the opportunity to have it in an exhibit of wedding gowns through time curated by the University of Wisconsin-Stevens Point.

Like many others, I took up embroidery again thanks to Covid-19. I find it a quiet and calming pastime. There were periods when I became quite anxious, and embroidery really helped me. But I also love the look and outcome, as well as the actual stitching.

My embroidery began in about January 2021 as wool applique. I made several pillows using wool I had on hand. I enjoyed designing them, based on wild animal themes. Some of them were made as gifts, others for our own home.

In spring and summer, my thoughts often turn to flowers and linen. And in the fall and winter birds and animals inspire me.

I unearthed many iron-on floral embroidery patterns that I inherited from my late Mother. Initially, I also purchased more, mostly "Aunt Martha" iron-on florals. However, for the last few years, I sketch or draw my own patterns. For the color schemes, I try to find photos online of actual flowers in bloom, if I don't have them in my own small flower beds. Therefore to me, this type of hand embroidery is very traditional.

I've always leaned towards creating "useful" items, rather than purely decorative ones. Therefore, embroidery on linen has been used for little zippered pouches, eyeglass cases, tissue holders, and the like. I enjoyed sending many of these as gifts to friends I hadn't seen in some time in December 2021.

I've embroidered some edges on pillowcases for myself too. And found some sheets embroidered by my mother that I began using again. I find them very comforting!

Fall typically brings thoughts of animals to my embroidery. This ring-necked pheasant is embroidered on linen and then used as the front flap on a small purse I made of quilted cotton blend. I find them light and handy. They are just big enough to carry a phone, keys, money, and during Covic, an extra mask.

As winter approached in 2022, I thought again of fur and so mittens were added to my line of wool accessories trimmed with natural fur. I have not repeated any of the birds or animals on the mittens. By the end of March 2026, I've made 37 pairs. All feature a bird or animal present in Saskatchewan in the winter.

I've also made an embroidered wool muff with fur trimmed edges, and a couple of hats with embroidery.