The varied techniques which evolved over the next hundred years in the farming community were subsequently developed by the middle classes until around 1820.

Towels and pillows as well as women's shifts and men's shirts were typically decorated in the hedebo style.

[3] In the late 19th century, Copenhagen families began to show interest in hedebo, increasingly acquiring items for their own homes.

[4] When hedebo was replaced in the late 19th century by more modern styles, peasants sold their embroidery in Copenhagen for substantial sums.

[5] Hedebo styles have developed over the years, first by the farming women and later by embroidery experts living in the more wealthy areas of Copenhagen.

The earlier styles (1700–1870), known as Hedebosyning (Hedebo sewing), consisted of white linen work for creating articles for private use.

[6] Known in Danish as tællesyning, with its geometric patterns, it is a style common throughout Denmark and the rest of Europe.

A darning stitch can then be used to fill them in, creating patterns of animals, human figures, plants and trees.