Initially inspired by the stylized animals and plants used in medieval needlework, she became an outstanding designer who could transform depictions of wild flowers into simple but effective embroidery patterns.
[1][2] Born on 6 February 1900 in the Copenhagen district of Frederiksberg, Gerda Johanna Bengtson was the daughter of two schoolteachers: Svend Otto Bengtsson (1871–1956) and Elise Marie Lassen (1873–1956).
After attending Frederiksberg Technical School, she studied painting at the Royal Danish Academy of Fine Arts (1919–24) under Gotfred Rode, Sigurd Wandel and, during her final year, the sculptor Einar Utzon-Frank.
She soon moved from tapestry and weaving to the more straightforward cross-stitch approach, often basing her work on classical designs or the large tablecloths embroidered by the artist Else Johnsen (1898–1957).
She was particularly adept at creating cross-stitch patterns for a wide range of applications, including tablecloths, bed covers, serviettes, tea cosies and bell pulls.