Inspiration Behind Dutch Porcelain
When we traveled to Kinderdijk, The Netherlands in the summer of 2022, I fell in love with the picturesque landscape dotted with windmills. The windmills of Kinderdijk are a UNESCO World Heritage site and are used to pump water from the polders into reservoirs on two levels. The windmills in this area were all built between 1738 and 1740 (although one was reconstructed in the 1980s). The brick based windmills are called Bonnet Mills. Only the top turns with the wind and the sails come within one foot of the ground. (Viking Cruise Daily Bulletin)
The windmills of Kinderdijk
It really is as pretty as a postcard!
Just inside the windmill were the wooden clogs worn by the workers to help them navigate the sticky mud.
Clogs and cleaning supplies just inside the door.
Area to wash up by the front door.
After our visit, I began to read several books set in The Netherlands. One was the book Midnight Blue by Simone Van Der Vlugt. The story tells of a young woman who moves to Delft and becomes one of the artisans making Delft Pottery. I was intrigued by the descriptions of the pottery and began to do a little research.
Delft Pottery, or Delftware, that was first made in the1600’s in Delft, The Netherlands. Potters started to make the tin glazed pottery as an alternative to Chinese porcelain. For many years Delftware mimicked the designs of Chinese pottery, but eventually evolved to include Dutch symbols such as windmills, fishing boats, and tulips. Delftware included simple household items such as vases, pitchers, and plates. The Royal Delft company that was founded in 1653 still produces Delft Blue pottery today. (royaldelft.com)
Dutch Porcelain is inspired by both Delftware and Kinderdijk. I incorporated windmills and clogs from Kinderdijk and used two shades of blue wool to mimic the brushstrokes of traditional porcelain. The ric rac adds the look of a fluted plate edge. I hope you enjoyed learning about the inspiration behind this pattern! You can purchase the pattern here: Dutch Porcelain Pattern.
