Huck Embroidery — Swedish Weaving Last updated January 01, 2005 | ||||||||||||
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From: Bonnie Datta Back when I was actively researching the history and origins of Swedish weaving, I went to a Swedish consulate with a letter, explaining that I would like to have the letter distributed to needlework guilds, textile schools and organizations, and anywhere else that might be able to supply some information. Several weeks later, I got a few responses, but all said that although they recognized the cloth (huckaback) none were familiar with the embroidery technique. So where that name may have originated is not clear.
The technique seems to be common in Portugal and Brazil, and because of the Ondori book I believe it is done in Japan. In North America, many people that I've talked to about it recognize it as something they did in home ec, girl guides, summer camp, 4-H, etc., or some might recognize that their grandmother or aunt used to do it. Part of the problem is that the huckaback fabric that is usually used is quite hard to find.
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From: Rita I've always heard that huckaback was the name of the fabric, but the technique was called huck embroidery, but of course, that's just something that was passed on from my mom and godmother from the 1930's.
The fabric was hard to find for awhile, but I guess with demand, I've seen it carried by Zweigart. I'm not sure if Craftsmen's Studio has it, but I can check. It's not as hard to find as it was a couple of years ago, when I taught the technique at our EGA meeting. After scouring many fabric stores, I finally found a bolt at Minnesota Fabrics (Hancock/Northwest). I've also just used aida, as it also has the "floats" and you can coordinate some cross stitch along with it! I thought that made the technique a little more versatile, since most of the huck designs are pretty geometrical.
Nordic Needle has some booklets on the subject.
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From: Michelle (Chelby) I work in a needle shop and I have seen the Huck cloth in the Wichelt book. There was a fabric shop here in town for a long while that always carried it. I do know that LNS can order the material. In fact there was an article on Swedish weaving in a magazine just this last year … I think that it was the February issue of Cross Stitch and Needlework. The woman also designs patterns. She has an address to write to if you want some of the designs that are in the magazine. The information is as follows:
Mary Polityka Bush
According to the article Swedish weaving is also know as Swedish Embroidery ... known to many as huck weaving. Most of the booklets were published in the 30's and 40's. I don't know if this helps anyone. She has some beautiful things in the magazine.
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Ideas gleaned from a Crafttalk newsletter from Herrschner's
Swedish Huck Weaving, popular in the 1940's, is making a comeback. It was mainly used to decorate the ends of huck towels. But with new fabrics and patterns, stitchers can use the huck technique on items such as afghans, framed articles, and pillows. The technique is fun and fast. You can easily complete a border in one evening.
In huck weaving, you work running stitches underneath the raised bars (floats) in the weave of the fabric. Huck patterns can be worked vertically, horizontally or diagonally. The thread does not show on the back of the fabric because it goes through the bars. It is never worked through the back. This keeps your work very tidy.
Traditional huck patterns use various shades of one color family. Newer patterns utilize many colors to great effect. Feel free to play with your fiber choices to get your desired effect.
There is a Yahoo! Group called Swedish Weave. The list is for those that enjoy doing Swedish/Huck Weaving or would like to learn this great and easy craft. They share tips and tricks and pictures of their projects. There are beginners, as well as veterans of the craft, but mostly lots of advice and sharing of ideas.
To subscribe, visit the website linked above, or send an e-mail to:
Supplies needed for huck weaving include #8 perle coton or embroidery floss, huck fabric or 14ct aida, and a blunt size #13 or #24 tapestry needle.
The fiber used for the embroidery is determined by the size of the fabric weave. For the 14ct fabric usually used in huck embroidery, a #8 perle coton is the preferred fiber. This fiber produces crisp lines. Three strands of cotton embroidery floss is an adequate substitute, but make sure to strip each strand and lay the pieces next to each other side-by-side for smooth stitching.
Afghan patterns using monk's cloth often recommend a 4-ply high quality yarn with a good twist for good stitch definition. Choose a yarn that will not shrink, pill or bleed.
Huck toweling is available in 55" widths. It is a 14ct fabric. You can also try huck embroidery on 14ct aida or on Monk's cloth, a 7ct fabric. Monk's cloth is good for afghans when combined with a light-weight yarn. Fabrics used for huck embroidery need to have a checkerboard weave and should be somewhat loosely woven so that the embroidery fiber does not distort the fabric.
Use blunt needles for huck weaving so that the needle does not pierce the ground fabric. #24 tapestry needles are used on 14ct fabrics; #13 yarn needles are used on monk's cloth. Be sure the eye of the needle is not so large that it distorts the ground fabric as it is worked.
Huck toweling is 100% cotton, so be sure to pre-wash your fabric if you intend to launder the finished piece. This will allow for shrinkage. Use warm water and a mild detergent to wash. Dry at a moderate setting. Be sure to surge or zig-zag your raw edges to avoid ravelling.
New patterns for huck embroidery are being created all the time. Check with your local needlework shop or your favorite online source for the latest patterns and supplies.
Course: Huck Embroidery
GLP International
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