Embroidery Inspiration – Shamrocks & Clovers

Everyone is a little bit Irish on St. Patrick’s Day, so today I’m sharing some shamrock and clover embroidery inspiration.

One of my favorites is this gown in Dior’s Spring/Summer 1953 collection. It’s a riot of greenery and clovers accented with bright pink-purple berries (or maybe clover blossoms?). Met C.I.60.21.1a, b.

Another fun example is this men’s waistcoat from 1780. The roses are fairly standard on waistcoats from this era, but the shamrocks are a bit unusual. National Trust Collections, NT135998.

It’s not unusual to see shamrocks and roses together, however. As symbols of Ireland and England, respectively, they are often combined with thistles to represent Scotland. These three motifs can be see on Queen Victoria’s underwear, Queen Elizabeth II’s coronation gown, and Kate Middleton’s wedding gown.

The same symbols made their way into the handwork of common women, as well. Detail of 18th c. apron embroidered with shamrocks, roses, and thistles. Auckland Museum, CC BY 4.0.

In the early 19th century, whitework embroidery and lacemaking exploded in the UK. Carrickmacross Lace, Limerick Lace and Irish Crochet commonly feature shamrock motifs. Sheer linen handkerchief from the mid-19th c. worked with roses, thistles, and shamrocks. MFA 52.1649.

Later in the century, the advent of delicately-embroidered lingerie gowns and Irish crochet coats gave another boost to the popularity of these designs. Circa 1910 lawn blouse embroidered with clovers. By Auckland Museum, CC BY 4.0.

Of course, shamrocks are also widely associated with good luck and blessings. What better motif to welcome the newest member of the family? Baby wrapper embroidered with tiny shamrocks, date unknown. Auckland Museum, CC BY 4.0.

For more Shamrock & Clover examples, see my Pinterest Board. More Spring Green Inspiration here.

Want to stitch out your own shamrock design? Get one for free in our Resource Library, just for newsletter subscribers.