My name is Nadine Sorby and I am from Canby, MN.  The past 6 months I have worked  Atsusko Ito’s Cross Banner in Hardanger from the 2004 Award Winning Designs In Hardanger Embroidery finishing it just before Christmas. I worked it on 22 count Hardanger fabric in light blue with white DMC pearl cotton thread.  It is backed with copen blue fabric.  I learned hardanger about 8 years ago after taking a day long class at the Danebold Folk School in Tyler, MN.  It is something I have long wanted to do and enjoy it very much.

Thanks for your comments on my banner.  It is fun to be able to share on this forum with people that understand and appreciate the hours and work that goes into such a piece.

I started it last summer and worked on it while we were at our camper.  I like stitching in natural light and have more “free” time when we’re at the camper.  I do usually have a couple projects going at once….a bookmark or card or something along with a bigger one.  I don’t very often carry hardanger along with me cause I need very good light and sometimes a magnifier to work on it.  My carry along projects are usually some simple knitting such as a dishcloth or baby cap.

 I had just finished another rather large and complicated piece… the Swallow Tail doily by Cindy Valentine Designs and was looking for something different to do when this caught my eye while paging through some pattern books.  I guess I like religious themes.  I have done many crosses for baptism and confirmation gifts and a small altar cloth for a table at my church.  I have it hanging in our bedroom for now but most likely will give it to my church later.  I haven’t found the proper hanger for it yet so just have it on a regular wire clothes hanger.

Hardanger is something I had wished to learn for many years before I did.  We found a very old piece in a trunk while cleaning out my mother-in-laws home.  We have no idea of who made it or when but that inspired me to find a way to learn it.  I enjoy the preciseness of it……and sometimes it also is frustrating when you can’t find the one thread that you are off!!

I certainly intend to keep doing Hardanger as long as my eyesight allows me.  It gives me such a satisfied feeling to see the beauty of something I have stitched.