Embroidery can be defined as ornamentation of fabric with needlework, the art of embellishing a fabric with fanciful ideas. It is the charismatic art of ornamental needlework with a range of threads linen, cotton, silk, silver, gold, wool and even to your hair. You can give an extension to your art and your artifice byusing beads, shells, feathers etc. along with the thread.
A Brief History of Embroidery:
Needlework has its references in the Vedas as well as that in Exodus in the Bible. The history of embroidery happens to be as old as textile itself. It is derived from the primitive art of netting and weaving. The art has its roots in the deserts of Egypt where it was practiced with gold being used for decorative stitches to adorn the entire garment. Have a close look at mummy wrappings and you will know.
The Greek and Roman garments had finely embroidered borders. In Asia, untold designs of gold and silver thread were produced from remote times. The intricate embroidery of China, which has with time become stylized, is one such example. From Byzantium (4th cent.) embroidery made space in Europe and thereafter was used in convents and nunneries for ecclesiastical purpose and was regarded as 'the gift of god'. From simple secular hems, sleeves, necks, and mantles in coarse and dull-colored threads this art has gained its Parnassus
With time embroidery began to be used for non-ecclesiastical uses and the techniqueof appliquÈ was developed.
The Renaissance brought along peasant embroidery in Greece and Scandinavian landscape. Embroidery as folk art flourished. It became a domestic practice in the Elizabethan era. The scope for embroidery which deteriorated in the 19th century has picked up again. The machinery has on one hand speeded the work while at the same time made quality depletion.
Types of Embroidery:
Hand embroidery
This is the basic and most primitive art form that you can begin with and explore. Your hand is the ruler in this art and your hand is also the victim of the pain the labor leaves. But what can dare to stop the art lovers like you. Hand embroidery is a secular exercise and is time consuming but the product this intricately done work leaves is unsurpassed.
You can explore working with beads, shells, tinkles etc. with your thread. You can literally embroider anything as long as the fabric is evenly woven and can be held firmly in the hand or the tapestry frame. You can make embellishments and explore your creativity in different forms from clothes to linen to wall hangings. So get your hands a cloth frame, pick up some colored threads and just begin.
Assisi embroidery
It is a form of counted-thread embroidery with its origin in Italy. It is also known as voiding, as the background is filled in while the motif is left
blank. Cross-stitch is used for the background while Blackwork embroidery stitchis used for outlining. Traditionally there are two ways to do Assisi embroidery:
Today Assisi embroidery pattern is first constructed on paper and then followed on the fabric.
In the last 20 years, a modern version of Assisi has evolved which uses different colors and patterns for the background, and the motifs are extremely varied.
Bargello
It is a type of needlepoint embroidery which consists of vertical flat stitches of varied lengths. The term 'Flame stitch' is also used for the same. This form of embroidery is remarkably durable; it can be used on pillows and carpets, but not for clothing. In modern patterns Bargelo also incorporates horizontal stitches.
Blackwork Embroidery
It is a simple form of embroidery, using black thread on white or off-white fabric.
Any black thread can be used preferably the firmly twisted threads of any material. Sometimes metallic threads or colored threads are used for accents. Double running stitch, called backstitch is used.
Today, blackwork is more popular than ever. It has a modern feel, due to its formal quality.
Bunka shishu
Bunka shishu is a form of Japanese embroidery that originated around the turn of the 20th Century. Bunka artists use specialized embroidery needle and rayon threads to create intricate pictures. Typical subjects include people, living things, and traditional Japanese scenes.
Bunka is fragile and is usually presented as artwork rather than as clothingadornment.
Canvas work
It is embroidery on canvas. In Canvas work the stitches may completely cover the canvas. The canvas is also being used as part of the pattern. For each type of canvas there is a particular yarn to be used.
Counted-thread embroidery
In this embroidery the fabric threads are counted by the embroiderer before inserting the needle into the fabric. The opposite of counted-thread embroidery is free embroidery. Cross stitch, needlepoint and Assisi embroidery are used as techniques.
Crewel embroidery
This technique is a style of free embroidery. The word crewel comes from an ancient word describing the curl in the single hair of the wool. Crewel wool also has a long staple that can be strongly twisted.
Cross-stitch
It is a popular form of counted-thread embroidery in which X-shaped stitches are used to form the desired image. Cross-stitch is usually executed on easily countable even weave fabric.
Cotton embroidery floss is the mostly used thread and thread size is chosen so that the stitches cover the fabric completely. Today cross-stitch is the most popular form of embroidery as a recreational activity that can be easily learnt. Various computer softwares have come which you can use for learning and designing. There are lots of e books also available that have lot of material-patters etc and suggestions on how to work embroidery. So make your novel attempt and express yourself distinctively. The power resides in your hands.
