In Brooklyn, New York, there is a famous Balkan festival called "Golden Festival" which has run for the last 37 years and celebrates Balkan music, dance, and culture. This year, I was honored to be asked to design a special embroidery for their virtual "sedenka", or sewing circle which will be happening the weekend of Jan 16-18. 
 
Inspired by a traditional embroidery from the small town of Berova in northern Macedonian, this design’s bold motifs evoke a “bartisan,” a corner turret on a medieval castle, many of which can be seen throughout the Balkans where this design originated. The lavish use of red and garnet are traditional to many Balkan textiles and create a wonderfully intense energy to this striking table mat.
This design is quite easy to use to make larger runners—simply use a longer piece of cloth and work more repeats of the design.
 
Finished size: 6-1/2 x 10” with hem finish
(actual area of embroidery is 4-1/2 x 8”)
59x101 sts/3507 total sts
 
The kit includes our Traditional Groundcloth, DMC floss, the full color pattern, and a John James size 24 tapestry needle.