Going through my linen cupboard before we moved, I found these two embroidered panels tucked into a back corner waiting for inspiration.
At the time I bought them, I thought they looked charming and I couldn't walk out of Srisuwan, a wonderful fabric shop in Bangkok, without them.
With no one nearby to interpret, it was impossible find out the origin of the embroideries. I had just been North to Chang Mai and visited some of the Hill Tribes where I saw some impressively large cross stitch pieces. I would guess they could quite possibly have been stitched there.
The cross stitch must have been done by someone with good eyesight. I can't imagine counting and working those tiny cross stitches on a black background. (The fabric is a 14 count Aida-like material.) Black does however make the colours pop and I find the overall effect rather appealing. I especially like the way the limited palette has been used on the elephants.
I wonder if the panels were designed to decorate the bottom of skirt?
Till next time, happy stitching!