The embroidery for the Vika pocket

 I finished the embroidery for the pocket to my traditional costume. Once I decided that I was not going to stick too faithfully to the pattern it was a lot easier to get going.

I started with all the green swirls, this was mostly done according to the pattern. I felt that it left too much open spaces though, and it was also a bit unbalanced.

I decided to add my initials, this is not uncommon on traditional pöockets. For a while I also thought about adding the year, but therw wouldn't be enough space for that. I measured a box for where I wanted the letters to be. It's definitely an issue that the chalk disappears almost immediately on the broadcloth that is used as a fabric. From this stage I tacked down some guidelines for the first letter in regular sewing thread so that I had something to go after, and then I embroidered the letters.

I also added some one more pair of circles/flowers, and with that the embroidery is done. Now I need to go home to my sister so she can help me finish the pocket.

Maybe it's time to finish a 15+ year UFO

 So I have posted about my traditional costume a couple of times, usually around Midsummer since that is when I wear it.

One piece that I've been missing is a pocket. And even if my regular Star Wars handbag goes well colorwise, I have really felt that I should have a pocket. The thing is I started to make the traditional pocket, something like 18 years ago, I'm pretty sure I started it before moving to Uppsala and that was in 2002. I got two cm and then gave up on doing the tiny chainstitches of the embroidery.

Then my mother said that she would make it for me, and gave up. Then I started asking my sister if she couldn't do it for me, since she has done everything else on the costume. She started, but then I said that well I've been doing quite some embroidery the last year maybe it's time for me to take a stab at this again.

This is my sister's pocket, so this is what it should like like when finished. There is some freedom of interpretation when it comes to colours and the pattern though.

This is where my pocket is. My sister had done the outlines of the three main motifs, so now it's only for me to continue and actually get it done. I'm hoping to be able to have it finished in time for Midsummer this year.