I will be using a Hardanger design on a biscornu that will fit a 6 to 7 inch basket or can be used as a scissors rest. The biscornu pattern is shown below the Hardanger pattern at the bottom of this page. Center your design in the middle of the Biscornu pattern.
You will need a square of fabric for the biscornu that is four inches wider and taller than the size biscornu you want to sew. And you need a scrap of fabric to place behind the center of the Hardanger design. I will discuss how to do that later.
After cutting the fabric threads as shown on the graph below. (Turn the graph as needed.) I wrapped each bar twice. Check the "Stitch Dictionary" for an item called 'Wrapped Bars', if you click on it, you will be taken to the explanation. You will have to scroll down the page to find the exact item I have mentioned under the heading "Diagonal Wrapping of Bars."
The chart for the Hardanger motif is pretty simple, each grid represents two fabric threads up and down and side to side. I have also included the cutting lines for the fabric threads. (Turn the design as needed.) Cut four fabric threads and leave four for the bar. The gray line is the cutting line.
The center sixteen blocks of the Hardanger design have been filled with a buttonhole filling. See the Stitch Dictionary for how to do these.
To use a background fabric, back stitch around the outside of the buttonhole stitches. I used 7 diagnally placed back stitches down the diagonal side of the design. And 8 straight back stitches down the straight sides of the design. For 32 count fabric work the back stitches over 4 fabric threads. For 28 count fabric threads work half the back stitches over 3 fabric threads and half over 4 fabric threads, so you end with 8 stitches. Repeat back stitches on the background fabric. Then use a ladder stitch to loosely sew the two fabrics together using the back stitches as the anchor for these stitches. Right side of the scrap material will be stitched against the wrong side of the design material.
Back stitch the outside lines on two pieces of fabric for the biscornu. Place the points of the back side
fabric on the center of the lines on the front side fabric, right sides out, curl back the selvedge, and ladder stitch through the back stitches to close the Biscornu, be sure to leave an opening for stuffing, stuff the biscornu and finish the closing. Follow a regular design to close the biscornu to create a braided finish. For instance come up under a back stitch on the top fabric, then go over the top of the stitch and under the next stitch on the bottom fabric, then under and over the next top stitch, under the next stitch and so on.
The picture of the basket below shows a finished biscornu. That pattern "The Bees Skeep and Oak Leaves" is available from your local needlework shop. There are two patterns on the chart. I have a real fondness for the design because I love the way the biscornu snugs in the basket opening and stays put so that I am not constantly chasing around the goods in the basket. I get distracted when I am sewing and invariably knock the basket over instead of retrieving the contents.
You have permission to make a single copy for your personal use. These designs are not for resale or distribution without written permission from me. If someone wants a copy of any of these articles please direct them here to make their own copies.
Stay tuned. All Rights Reserved, Copyright 2011, Linda Fontenot.
