Roses in Long and Short Stitch---Finished Project Images

I would like to share with you all the finished pictures of another project --- Long and Short Stitch Roses, which I had shown you in one of my previous posts.

I wanted to try long and short embroidery with variegated embroidery threads. And am so happy with the outcome. 

If you would like to use DMC variegated threads in any of your embroidery projects, you can buy it from Amazon.com:

Hungarian Matyo Embroidery Project---Finished Project Photos

Today I want to share with you the pictures of my Hungarian embroidery project. I recently found out that the type of Hungarian embroidery which I shared with you in my earlier post on Hungarian embroidery is Matyo embroidery, and not Kalocsa embroidery as I had mistakenly assumed. I got confused with both forms of the embroidery.

I did a little research and learnt that the most prominent difference between Matyo and Kalocsa is that in Matyo embroidery the roses are usually embroidered only in red, while in Kalocsa embroidery they are done in different colors. Also Matyo embroidery was traditionally densely stitched. 

Matyo embroidery is one of the traditional folk art embroidery styles in Hungary, which stretches back nearly 200 years. The motifs were sewn with bright colors such as red, green, yellow, blue, black, and purple, as well as with their soft shades. The color red retains its dominance in all motifs. Towards the end of the 19th century, peony became the most famous motif, which was given a special name, the “matyo rose," which became the main feature of the motifs. 

According to the Web site folk-art-hungary.com,

There is also a legend about the development of matyo embroidery. Once a matyo bachelor was kidnapped by the devil. The boy’s sweetheart rhymed a lot asking him to give him back to her, and the devil said, “You’ll get your love back if you bring the most beautiful flowers of summer in your apron!” She was in trouble as they were in the middle of winter. But in the end, she figured out how to fulfill the devil’s wish. She embroidered the beautiful roses of her garden on his apron and gave it the devil in exchange for her valentine.

Please visit folk-art-hungary.com for more info on Hungarian embroidery.

Also visit the Web site fromhungarywithlove.wordpress.com to know the differences between the different forms of Hungarian embroidery.

Below are the final pictures of the Hungarian Matyo embroidery project which I completed a few years ago.

This is the back side (wrong side) of the embroidery.

Happy stitching!

---Flora

Please chime in your ideas whether you would like a tutorial on Hungarian embroidery on this blog. I will post a tutorial with another design if you like. 

New Project --- Hungarian Matyo Embroidery

Happy Sunday to all!

I am currently embroidering on a lunch napkin for my elder daughter.  Recently, I have been drawn to Hungarian embroidery. I like it for the vibrant colors and simple stitches used in it. Here are some photos of my project.

 

Satin stitch is the main stitch used in Matyo embroidery. I will regularly post the progress pictures of this project. I am also making progress with my other projects: doily and kurta neck design. Will post these projects soon.

Note: Earlier I had posted that this is Kalocsa embroidery. Sorry for confusing you all. It is Matyo embroidery.

Embroidered Neck Design---Progress

Exploring Long and Short Stitch Variations in My Neck Design

This is my progress so far on the neck design! I’ve been slowly bringing the floral motifs to life, and as you can see, the two large pink flowers are finally taking shape. Each time I sit down to work on this piece, I’m reminded why I love embroidery so much — every single stitch adds dimension, personality, and a story of its own.

Now, if you take a closer look at the two flowers, you might notice a subtle difference between them. Can you spot it? Both are worked in long and short shading, but the technique I used for each flower is slightly different — and that small variation has created two very distinct visual effects.

For the first flower, I used a method where I did not split back into the previous rows of stitches. Instead, I began each new row by inserting the needle at the endpoints of the stitches from the previous row. This approach results in smoother transitions between rows, with a more satin-like surface. The color blending feels more directional, creating a layered, petal-like texture. From what I’ve read and observed, this method seems to be quite common in East Asian embroidery traditions, where precision and surface smoothness are emphasized.

For the second flower, I used the traditional splitting method, where each new stitch pierces or overlaps the stitches from the previous row. This creates a much softer blending effect — the colors seem to melt into one another, giving the flower a more painterly, natural look. It also adds a touch of texture, since the stitches interact more with each other.

It’s fascinating how such a small change in stitching technique can make such a big difference in the final outcome. The first flower appears more structured and crisp, while the second looks softer and fuller. Both have their own charm, and together, they add richness and variation to the overall design.

Working on this neck design has been a wonderful exercise in patience and observation. Sometimes, I find that experimenting on the same motif — using slightly different methods — teaches me more than following a fixed pattern ever could. Each stitch becomes a little experiment, a chance to understand how thread, tension, and direction interact with light and fabric.

I’m still working my way through the rest of the piece. The leaves and smaller flowers are next, and I’m planning to continue experimenting with stitch variations to see how they influence the overall look. I’ll be sure to share more progress soon — hopefully with both of these pink blossoms fully completed and glowing against the dark background fabric.

Have you ever tried using two different methods for long and short stitch in the same project? I’d love to hear about your experience and which effect you prefer — the smooth precision of the first, or the soft blending of the second!

Embroidered Reversible Bag

I would like to share the images of the bag I embroidered a few weeks ago. I made it into a reversible bag and gifted it to a little girl. She was so happy to have received it. You can find the how-to-sew tutorial on my sewing blog.

 When you turn it inside out, it will look like this.

 

Here is a close-up of the embroidery.

I used fly stitch for the flowers, buttonhole stitch for the leaves, and outline stitch for the stems. I used variegated threads in shades of pink and yellow to embroider the flowers.

Happy stitching!

Decorative Pattern on Doily---A little progress

Steady Progress on My Decorative Embroidery Pattern (Inspired by the Ondori Book)

Lately, I’ve been carving out a little pocket of time each day — about half an hour — to continue working on this colorful decorative embroidery pattern. Even though my progress is slow, I’m genuinely happy with how steadily it’s coming along. Sometimes, small and consistent effort adds up beautifully over time, especially with a design as detailed and layered as this one.

The pattern I’m working on is inspired by the Ondori book Embroidery of Roses — a timeless Japanese embroidery guide known for its delicate floral motifs and elegant stitchwork. The Ondori books have always fascinated me; they combine traditional artistry with a graceful modern touch, and even their simplest designs carry a refined sense of balance and color. This particular motif captures that spirit perfectly — bold yet harmonious.

In my piece, I’ve been playing with vibrant color transitions — rich orange petals blending into cool blues and purples, framed by softer tones to give depth. The satin stitches are building up layer by layer, creating a soft sheen that catches the light beautifully. You can still see some of the pencil outlines in places — a little reminder that every embroidery project is a journey in stages.

Even with limited time each day, I find these short stitching sessions incredibly relaxing. They help me reconnect with the tactile joy of thread and fabric — the slow rhythm of each stitch feels meditative after a long day. Progress may be gradual, but every little bit adds a touch of color and satisfaction.

I’ll keep sharing updates as this pattern unfolds, and I hope it inspires you to pick up an unfinished piece or start a small daily embroidery habit of your own. A few quiet minutes with needle and thread can truly brighten the day. 

Here are the pictures!

Ondori books are available at the links below:

Amazon USA

Amazon UK

Embroidery Details

• Pattern: Decorative floral design from Ondori – Embroidery of Roses

• Stitches Used: Satin stitch, long and short stitch, chain stitch and split stitch

• Threads: Cotton embroidery floss in orange, purple, blue, and light beige tones

• Fabric: Cream-colored cotton