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Embroidery is the embellishment of cloth with designs
By Michael Sanford
Embroidery is an ancient variety of decorative
needlework in which designs and pictures are created
by stitching strands of some material on to a layer of
another material. Most embroidery uses thread or wool
stitched onto a woven fabric, but the stitches could be
executed in, for example, wire or leather strands, and
embroidery can be worked onto many materials. ...
An embellishment of a fabric or garment in which
colored threads are sewn on to the fabric to create a
design. Embroidery may be done either by hand or
machine.It is A term applied to a hill or mount with
several copings or rises and falls.
Decorative stitching on fabric. Generally involves non-
lettering designs but can also include lettering and/or
monograms. Evidence of embroidery exists during the
reign of Egyptian pharaohs, in the writings of Homer
and from the Crusaders of the 12th century. Evolved
from hand work to manual sewing machines and from
handlooms and schiffli machines with hundreds of
needles to high-speed, computerized multihead
machines.
Ornamental needlework or trimming using silk, cotton,
metallic or other threads.
Embroidery is the embellishment of cloth with designs
made by needle and thread; an art that stretches back
to antiquity. Over the centuries, embroidery has been
used to adorn everything from handkerchiefs to the
most sumptuous state regalia. With the exception of
leather, embroidery in India has been done on woven
cloth of cotton, wool and silk.
In India, natural colors used for dying distinguishes the
work done in India from the others. The Indian
embroider never uses too many colors in any one
piece. Each state in India has a style unique to its
tradition. The satin stitch is used in Kashmir.
The darn stitch, which produces the 'bagh' and
'phulkari' stitch of Punjab is vibrant like the people of the
state. The interlacing stitches of Kutch and Kathiawar
are as beautiful as they are intricate. The 'kasauti' stitch
of Karnataka too is popular due to its traditional value.
The white on white 'chikan' work of Uttar Pradesh is
breath-taking and requires a lot of skill. The silk
embroidery done in Surat has exquisite patterns.
Indian embroidery uses many stitches as well as
variations of basic stitches. The running stitch, back
stitch, stem stitch, feather stitch, interlacing stitch, satin
stitch, cross stitch etc. are just to name a few. Indian
embroidery exists in exquisite variations and vibrant
colors, with each state having a unique style of its own.
Chikan
The chikan work of Lucknow is perhaps one of the most
popular embroidery works in India. It has a certain
grace and elegance, which ensures that it never goes
out of style. The word chikan literally means
embroidery. It is said to have been originally introduced
by Nur Jahan, the beautiful wife of the Mughal emperor,
Jahangir. It has since evolved and attained its glory and
perfection in Lucknow, Uttar Pradesh. The work became
popular in a number of important cities of the Indo-
Gangetic plain such as Delhi, Agra, Rampur, Banaras,
Patna and Gaya. But the supremacy of Lucknow
remained unchallenged.
The designs depend for its effect on the variety of
stitches used and different grades of threads used to
form the patterns which include, the lace like jali, the
opaque fillings and the delicacy or boldness of outline
and details. The most beautiful part of chikan work is the
open work ground, an effect of drawn thread work is
achieved without drawing out any. Tiny raised flowers
done in what seem to be French knots are balanced by
the flat stem stitch and large areas of open work to
prevent either a crowded or too scattered appearance.
A variation of the chikan work is the bakhia or shadow
work. Here the work is done from the back, the stitches
completely covering the design in herringbone style.
The shadow of the thread is seen through the cloth on
the right side. To give a richer appearance, the designs
are produced with tiny backstitches on the right side
over the shadow. A similar effect is created by cutting
out tiny flowers and leaves in the same material as the
basic fabric and then applying them on the wrong side.
The work is done so dexterously that the turned in
edges of the cut pieces are scarcely visible from the
front of the work.
The refinement of taste dictated that not even the seams
should be straight. So the material of the kurtas were cut
in waves along the sides. The stitches employed are
back-stitch, chain stitch, and hemstitch forming an open
work pattern, jali or openwork ground. The introduction
of color in to the kurtas is a recent innovation.
Embroidery has been a craft for women, Banni, a small
village in the Rann of Kutch is known for its artistic
embroidery work. Small mirrors are interspersed to
lend glitter and charm. The finest type of such
embroidery work with small mirrors is called Abhla-
Bharat. When a bride is sent to her husband's house,
she carries with her some pieces of skirts and cholis
exquisitely embroidered with minute details.
About the Author
For more information on free embroidery designs art please visit the free embroidery designs art resource center at http://www.embroidery-help-guide.info
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