Celtic Wonder

This past summer we went to Ireland. My husband and I have also been to Scotland, the Highlands and the Outer Hebrides. Not Edinburgh or Glasgow, so we have to go back, but I digress. It shouldn’t surprise anyone that we attend the Wisconsin Highland Games with alarming regularity. I’m always interested in the arts and crafts part of the festivities and came across a woman who sews the most amazing Celtic knots into table runners, wall hangings, and trivets. I’ve visited with her on several occasions over the years at this event and learned that she would be teaching a class in a few weeks after the games in another part of the state.

I knew I would attend as soon as she told me about it. You see I find these types of sewn crafts inspirational. In other words, I’m inspired to give it a try and make my own. I may have even bought a piece or two from her with that express purpose in mind, but never got around to it because the thought of starting the project turned out to be too daunting. I didn’t know where to begin. And then, there she was offering to give me a guided tour for a small fee. I couldn’t wait to hand over my money if she was willing to pull back the curtain and give me a look to see how it was done.

So I signed up. That Saturday I loaded up my sewing machine and headed west out of town to Mineral Point, WI for the afternoon. In two hours I learned how to make the piece below. It was my first time working with a product called Wonder-Under, which is a double-sided iron-on adhesive, but with some guidance, it turned out all right.

Then I learned I had to finish it with a top stitch and some hand sewing and it never got done.

Just kidding.

I’ve moved on to another project, but I’ll definitely revisit this sometime in the future. This was a lot of fun to make and it didn’t take too long so I can imagine doing something similar in the future and playing with the colors and shape of the thing. I might try some different Celtic knots or perhaps initials. We’ll have to wait and see if they make great gifts. I haven’t made anything for anyone yet, but the holidays will soon be upon us and I’ll have to think of something. These might fit the bill.