Embroidered fabric is made by stitching strands of a material on another
material layer to give a decorative designs and patterns. Embroidery is done
to decorate clothing and household furnishings like table linens, tray
cloths, towels and bedding. It is also used as a form of art through the
creation of pictures in tapestries and wall hangings.
Most embroidery is done by using thread or wool stitched onto a woven
fabric. Traditionally embroidery was done by hand but now it is also machine
embroidered. Machine embroidery can be used for both, creative work on
individual pieces as well as for mass produced clothing products. Literally
any evenly woven fabric can be embroidered.
The use of embroidered fabric dates back to 3000 BC in Egypt. Since then
different culture has contributed their unique designs and technique. The
Chinese mastered in silk-thread embroidery. Scandinavians counted techniques
like Hardanger in evenweave fabrics. Indians elaborated in gold and metal
embroideries where as Italians crafted delicate laces and cutwork.
Types of Embroidered Fabric
Assisi Embroidery - It is counted thread embroidery from Italian
town of Assisi started in the 13
th century. It is also known as
voiding, a negative embroidery, where background is filled while the motif
is left blank.
Bargello or Florentine Embroidery - This is also called Flame
stitch, which uses a unique stepped satin stitch.
Blackwork Embroidery - This is a simple form of embroidery where
black thread is used on white or off-white fabric.
Bunka Sishu - This is a Japanese embroidery style originating in the
20
th century. It creates very detailed pictures, which looks
like oil paintings.
Canvas Work - This is embroidery on canvas.
Counted-thread Embroidery - This produces a symmetrical image
because the warp and weft fabric threads are evenly spaced. Evenweave fabric
is usually used and the fabric threads are counted by the embroidered before
starting the embroidery.
Crewel Embroidery - This is at least a thousand years old. The word
crewel is derived from the curl in the staple of the wool. Crewel wool has a
long staple and can be strongly twisted apart from its being fine. It is
free style embroidery.
Cross-Stitch - This is a popular form of counted-thread embroidery
where X-shaped are used to form a picture. Other stitches like ¼, ½
and ¾ are also termed as cross-stitch.
Drawn Thread Work - This is also a form of counted-thread
embroidery, but here the threads from the warp and the weft of even weave
fabric piece is removed and are grouped or bundled together into a variety
of patterns.
Goldwork Embroidery - The use of gold upon the fabric.
Hardanger Embroidery - This is a form of embroidery which is worked
in white yarn of a colored Hardanger cloth by using drawn thread work.
Whitework Embroidery - This is white embroidery done on white
material in mercerized cottons.
