Swiss Embroidery - 13 Cool Patterns and Ideas

The origins of Swiss embroidery

As its name suggests, swiss embroideries originated in eastern switzerland, in the fifteenth century. Originally, Swiss embroidery was called: "Schweizer Leinenstickerien", which means "Swiss linen embroidery".

Later, Swiss embroidery was developed in the United States when checkered cloth was made in Virginia. At that time, the French textile industry gave specific names to fabrics: pied-de-coq, pied-de-poule. By imitation, the Americans called their own fabric "chiken scratch" and thus Swiss embroidery spread to America under the name "chicken scratch embroidery" or "spanish embroidery".

Switzerland is known for its chocolate and green landscapes, but it is also the country of origin of this beautiful embroidery with lace effect. If you are a beginner, all you need is a little practice to master the principle of Swiss embroidery.

Characteristics of Swiss embroidery

Swiss embroidery is actually an embroidery technique and not lace. if you wonder what are the characteristics of swiss embroidery, you just have to look at the work done with this technique to find the answers.

Below, you can learn about the main distinctive signs (identifiable at first glance) of this embroidery with a lace effect.

Technique, patterns and colors

Swiss embroidery belongs to the family of counted stitches. This technique is performed on Vichy canvas. Whatever the color, Swiss embroidery stitches are done in 3 types of mosaics: light, dark, and gray (intermediate color). It is interesting to see that when embroidering the same pattern of dark or light mosaics, the result is visually very different.

Patterns are embroidered in monochrome (often white) or two-tone with pearl cotton (usually number 8). It is recommended to use a number 24 round point tapestry needle: the eye should be large enough for the pearl cotton.

Flowers, gardens and nature are the main sources of inspiration for Swiss embroidery.

Here you can learn how to embroider swiss embroideries. The points are the same as the Spanish embroidery.

Swiss embroidery patterns

You can have fun using traditional stitches, typical of this Swiss embroidery technique, and inventing others to create original patterns and diversify lace effects.