​​Ethnic Textile Art

Swedish weaving is a traditional stitching technique that was first found among linens dated to the 1600's. During a certain period, the “fad” among Swedish embroiderers was to match the color of the table linens to the family dinnerwear.  Swedish weaving was often used for this purpose.  Its origin has not been precisely identified, but because of the frequency with which this technique was found on table linens, it became linked to the Swedish people.  It is also known as Huck Weaving, taking the name from a type of fabric on which it was stitched, called huck toweling or huckabuck.  

 

Swedish weaving was popular in this country until around the 1950's. As the number of automatic dishwashers in the home increased, the need for “dish towels” decreased, with the resulting decline in this form of stitching.  In recent years, with the widespread use of Aida and a whole range of new novelty fibers being introduced, there has been resurgence in interest in this technique.  It is easily mastered, with projects that that work up quickly.  The term Swedish Weaving encompasses the broader range of fibers and ground fabrics currently being used.