WHITEWORK, MAT

Extremely fine whitework hand embroidery – tiny, finest buttonhole edging and ladder stitch around the perimeter.
This octagonal shaped mat, in silk organza is hand embroidered in silk thread. Repeating design on each side: a large flower in the centre whose petals outlined in satin stitch and centres worked in pulled fabric. On either side, leaf sprays are filled with seed stitch, and sprays of 3 satin stitch flowers with eyelet centres.

From the mountainous Appenzell region of Switzerland, where the finest whitework was stitched in 20th century.
Identified for the fine buttonhole, ladder and seed stitch and the small 5 petalled flowers in satin stitch.