Daisy Border Design Based on the Malterer Hanging
Based of the 14th century German Malterer hanging, this pretty border is specially designed for and tested using wool machine embroidery thread. The original embroidery was executed in a stitch variously called Kloster, convent, or bokhara stitch, with shapes outlined in stem stitch.
This sample was done using Madeira's Lana wool machine embroidery thread.
You can use your favorite embroidery software to string multiple design elements together to make a daisy chain, or use printed templates to mark the layout of each design element on your fabric. The picture below shows how this design would look as a border (like on the original hanging).
Tips for Using Wool Embroidery Thread
Even when a design has been developed for wool threads, there are several additional steps you can take to optimize your results. The needle is probably the most important success factor: use a needle with a large eye, such as a topstitching (Klasse Topstitching) or metallic thread (Klasse Metallic) embroidery needle. Additionally, slow the embroidery machine to its slowest speed setting to reduce the probability of the thread breaking. Last but not least, stay with the machine while it is stitching with wool because Murphy's law says the thread will break the moment you walk away!