Women who were unable to access a formal education or, at times, writing implements, were often taught embroidery and utilized it as a means of documenting their lives. While historically viewed as a pastime, activity, or hobby, intended just for women, embroidery has often been used as a form of biography. Many techniques had a practical use such as Sashiko from Japan, which was used as a way to reinforce clothing. Examples include Hardanger from Norway, Merezhka from Ukraine, Mountmellick embroidery from Ireland, Nakshi kantha from Bangladesh and West Bengal, and Brazilian embroidery. Ĭonversely, embroidery is also a Folk art, using materials that were accessible to nonprofessionals. Embroidery was a skill marking a girl's path into womanhood as well as conveying rank and social standing. In 18th-century England and its colonies, samplers employing fine silks were produced by the daughters of wealthy families. This flexibility led to a variety of works, from the royal to the mundane.Įlaborately embroidered clothing, religious objects, and household items often were seen as a mark of wealth and status, as in the case of Opus Anglicanum, a technique used by professional workshops and guilds in medieval England. Historical applications and techniques Ī pair of Chinese shoes for bound 'lily' feetĭepending on time, location and materials available, embroidery could be the domain of a few experts or a widespread, popular technique. In a garment from Migration period Sweden, roughly 300–700 AD, the edges of bands of trimming are reinforced with running stitch, back stitch, stem stitch, tailor's buttonhole stitch, and Whip stitch, but it is uncertain whether this work simply reinforced the seams or should be interpreted as decorative embroidery. Works in China have been dated to the Warring States period (5th–3rd century BC).

The art of embroidery has been found worldwide and several early examples have been found. On the other hand, we often find in early works a technical accomplishment and high standard of craftsmanship rarely attained in later times. there are no changes of materials or techniques which can be felt or interpreted as advances from a primitive to a later, more refined stage. It is a striking fact that in the development of embroidery. Indeed, the remarkable stability of basic embroidery stitches has been noted:

The process used to tailor, patch, mend and reinforce cloth fostered the development of sewing techniques, and the decorative possibilities of sewing led to the art of embroidery. 4th century BC, Zhou tomb at Mashan, Hubei, China. Rows of even, round chain stitch used for outline and color. Detail of embroidered silk gauze ritual garment.

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