Embroidery in silk thread on linen, 19th century

Embroidery is the art or handicraft of decorating fabric or other materials with designs stitched in strands of thread or yarn using a needle. Art refers to a diverse range of Human activities creations and expressions that are appealing to the Senses or Emotions of a human individual Handicraft, also known as craftwork or simply Craft, is a type of work where useful and decorative devices are made completely by hand or using only simple tools A textile is a flexible material comprised of a network of natural or artificial Fibres often referred to as thread or Yarn. Materials are physical Substances used as inputs to production or Manufacturing. In everyday language a stitch in the context of embroidery or hand-sewing is defined as the movement of the Embroidery needle from the backside of the fabric to the This article is about the fiber product For the type of joke see Shaggy dog story. A sewing needle is a long slender tool with a pointed tip The first needles were made of bone or wood modern ones are manufactured from high carbon steel wire nickel- or gold plated Embroidery may also use other materials such as metal strips, pearls, beads, quills, and sequins. The M acro E xpansion T emplate A ttribute L anguage complements TAL, providing macros which allow the reuse of code across A pearl is a hard roundish object produced within the soft tissue (specifically the mantle) of a living shelled Mollusk. A bead is a small decorative object that is pierced for threading or stringing Quill is a high level object oriented Programming language created by the Dutch software company Quintiq. Sequins are disk-shaped Beads used for decorative purposes They are available in a wide variety of colors and geometrical shapes Sewing machines can be used to create machine embroidery. A sewing machine is a textile machine used to stitch Fabric or other material together with Thread. Machine embroidery is a term that can be used to describe two different actions

Types of embroidery

Detail of an embroidered silk gauze ritual garment from a 4th century BC, Zhou era tomb at Mashan, Hubei province, China. Silk is a natural Protein Fiber, some forms of which can be woven into Textiles The best-known type of silk is obtained from cocoons The Zhou Dynasty ( POJ: Chiu Tiau 1122 BC to 256 BC was preceded by the Shang Dynasty and followed by the Qin Dynasty in China. ( Postal map spelling: Hupeh) is a central province of the People's Republic of China. China ( Wade-Giles ( Mandarin) Chung¹kuo² is a cultural region, an ancient Civilization, and depending on perspective a National

Embroidery is classified according to the use of the underlying foundation fabric. One classification system divides embroidery styles according to the relationship of stitch placement to the fabric:

• In free embroidery, designs are applied without regard to the weave of the underlying fabric. Embroidery is the Art or Handicraft of decorating fabric or other Materials with designs stitched in strands of thread or Examples include crewel and traditional Chinese embroidery. Crewel Embroidery, or Crewelwork, is a decorative form of surface Embroidery using Wool and a variety of different Embroidery stitches to follow China ( Wade-Giles ( Mandarin) Chung¹kuo² is a cultural region, an ancient Civilization, and depending on perspective a National

• In counted-thread embroidery, patterns are created by making stitches over a pre-determined number of threads in the foundation fabric. Counted-thread embroidery is any Embroidery in which the fabric threads are counted by the embroiderer before inserting the needle into the fabric Counted-thread embroidery is more easily worked on an even-weave foundation fabric such as embroidery canvas, aida cloth, or specially woven cotton and linen fabrics although non-evenweave linen is used as well. Even-weave fabric or Canvas is any woven Textile where the warp and Weft threads are of the same size Canvas is an extremely heavy-duty plain-woven fabric used for making Sails Tents Marquees Backpacks and other functions Aida cloth is an open weave Even-weave fabric traditionally used for Cross-stitch Embroidery. Cotton is a soft staple Fibre that grows around the seeds of the cotton plant ( Gossypium sp Linen is a Textile made from the Fibers of the Flax plant Linum usitatissimum. Examples include needlepoint and cross-stitch. Needlepoint is a form of Canvas work Embroidery, in which Yarn is stitched through a Canvas ground fabric. This article is about the embroidery style called cross-stitch or counted cross-stitch

A second division classifies embroidery according to whether the design is stitched on top of or through the foundation fabric:

• In Surface embroidery, patterns are worked on top of the foundation fabric using decorative stitches and laid threads. Surface embroidery is any form of Embroidery in which the pattern is worked using decorative stitches and laid threads on top of the foundation fabric or Surface embroidery encompasses most free embroidery as well as some forms of counted-thread embroidery (such as cross-stitch). This article is about the embroidery style called cross-stitch or counted cross-stitch

• In Canvas work, threads are stitched through a fabric mesh to create a dense pattern that completely covers the foundation fabric. Canvas work is a type of Embroidery in which Yarn is stitched through a Canvas or other foundation fabric. All canvas work is not counted-thread embroidery. There are printed and hand painted canvases where the painted or printed image is meant to serve as a color guide. Stitches are sometimes of the stitcher's choosing.

An important distinction between canvas work and surface embroidery is that surface work requires the use of an embroidery hoop or frame to stretch the material and ensure even stitching tension that prevents pattern distortion. Embroidery hoops and frames are tools used to keep fabric taut while working Embroidery or other forms of Needlework. Canvas work tends to follow very symmetrical counted stitching patterns with designs developing from repetition of one or only a few similar stitches in a variety of thread hues. Most forms of surface embroidery, by contrast, are distinguished by a wide range of different stitching patterns used in a single piece of work.

Ribbon embroidery is embroidery performed with ribbon rather than standard six-thread string. A ribbon or riband is a thin band of flexible material typically Cloth but also Plastic or sometimes Metal, used primarily for binding and tying Silk ribbon or a silk/organza blend ribbon are commonly used for this type of embroidery. Silk is a natural Protein Fiber, some forms of which can be woven into Textiles The best-known type of silk is obtained from cocoons Organza is a thin Plain weave, sheer fabric traditionally made from Silk, the continuous filament of silkworms. There are many different styles of ribbon embroidery, such as woven rose, French knot, feather stich, fly stich, fly stich fern, couching stich, lazy daisy, looped petal flower, Japanese ribbon stich, stem stich rose, split stich, and straight stich. Those are usually taught to beginners who are just learning silk ribbon embroidery. Ribbon embroidery is most commonly used to create floral motifs. It's said to have a certain romantic and antique quality.

• In Machine embroidery, Embroidery designs are stitched with an automated embroidery machine. Machine embroidery is a term that can be used to describe two different actions These designs are "digitized" with Embroidery Software. They can have different types of "fills" which add texture and design to the embroidery. Almost all basic types of embroidery can be created with Machine Embroidery. These include: Applique, Free Standing Lace, Cutwork, Cross-stitch, Photo Stitch, and Basic Embroidery. Most often this type of embroidery is associated with business shirts, gifts, team apparel and commercial use.

History

The origins of embroidery are lost in time, but examples survive from ancient Egypt, Iron Age Northern Europe and Zhou Dynasty China. This article is about the country of Egypt For a topic outline on this subject see List of basic Egypt topics. This article is about the archaeological period known as the Iron Age for the mythological Iron Age see Ages of Man. Northern Europe is a term for the northern part of Europe. The United Nations defines Northern Europe as (Finland The Zhou Dynasty ( POJ: Chiu Tiau 1122 BC to 256 BC was preceded by the Shang Dynasty and followed by the Qin Dynasty in China. China ( Wade-Giles ( Mandarin) Chung¹kuo² is a cultural region, an ancient Civilization, and depending on perspective a National It has many roots all around the world and is being done in many different ways because of their cultures.

Elaborately embroidered clothing, religious objects, and household items have been a mark of wealth and status in many cultures including ancient Persia, India, Byzantium, medieval England (Opus Anglicanum or "English work"), and Baroque Europe. Clothing (also called clothes, accoutrements, accouterments, or habiliments) protects the Human body from extreme Weather The Persian Empire was a series of Iranian empires that ruled over the Iranian plateau, the original Persian homeland and beyond in Western Asia India, officially the Republic of India (भारत गणराज्य inc-Latn Bhārat Gaṇarājya; see also other Indian languages) is a country This article is about the city See also Byzantine Empire. Byzantium ( Greek: Βυζάντιον Latin: la BYZANTIVM England is a Country which is part of the United Kingdom. Its inhabitants account for more than 83% of the total UK population whilst its mainland Opus Anglicanum or English work is a contemporary term for fine Needlework of Medieval England done for ecclesiastical or secular use on Clothing Baroque art redirects here Please disambiguate such links to Baroque painting, Baroque sculpture, etc

Hand embroidery is a traditional art form passed from generation to generation in many cultures, including northern Vietnam, Mexico, and eastern Europe. Vietnam (ˌviːɛtˈnɑːm Việt Nam) officially The United Mexican States ( or commonly Mexico (ˈmɛksɪkoʊ () is a federal constitutional Republic in North America.

The Bayeux Tapestry is not a true tapestry; it is an elaborately embroidered wall hanging originally displayed at the Bayeux Cathedral, and now housed at a special museum in Bayeux, Normandy. The Bayeux Tapestry (Tapisserie de Bayeux is a 50 cm by 70 m (20 in by 230 ft long embroidered cloth which explains the events leading up to the 1066 Norman invasion of Tapestry is a form of Textile art. It is woven by hand on a vertical Loom. Bayeux Cathedral ( Cathédrale Notre-Dame de Bayeux) is a Norman - Romanesque cathedral located in the town of Bayeux. Bayeux (bajø is a commune in the Calvados département, in Normandy in northwestern France. Normandy (Normandie Norman: Normaundie) is a geographical region corresponding to the former Duchy of Normandy.

Gallery

Gold Embroidery	Cross-stitch embroidery, Hungary, mid-20th century	Phulkari from Punjab region, India	15th century embroidered cope, Ghent, Belgium
Embroidery, c. This article is about the embroidery style called cross-stitch or counted cross-stitch Hungary (Magyarország 'mɔɟɔrorsaːg) officially in English the Republic of Hungary ( Magyar Köztársaság, literally Magyar (Hungarian Republic Phulkari, an embroidery technique from the Punjab in India, literally means flower working, which was one time used for word embroidery but in course Punjab ( ਪੰਜਾਬ پنجاب, पंजाब پنجاب also Panjab (پنجاب meaning "Land of the Five Rivers") (c India, officially the Republic of India (भारत गणराज्य inc-Latn Bhārat Gaṇarājya; see also other Indian languages) is a country The cope (Known in Latin as pluviale 'rain coat' or cappa 'cape' is a liturgical Vestment, which may conveniently be described as a very long mantle Ghent (ˈɡɛnt Gent ʝɛnt in Dutch, Gand in French, and formerly Gaunt in English) is a City and a The Kingdom of Belgium is a Country in northwest Europe. It is a founding member of the European Union and hosts its headquarters as well as those 1660, Flanders	Gold embroidery, cope 18th century	Elizabethan embroidery styles include blackwork on linen and dense patterns worked in colored silk and metallic threads on velvet or other rich fabrics	Pakko. Romance and reality The Victorian era and the early twentieth century idealised the Elizabethan era Blackwork Embroidery is a form of Counted-thread embroidery that is usually stitched on Even-weave fabric jpg

Notes

Additional Information

• S. F. A. Caulfield and B. C. Saward, The Dictionary of Needlework, 1885.
• Virginia Churchill Bath, Needlework in America, Viking Press, 1979 ISBN 0-670-50575-7
• Readers Digest Complete Guide to Needlework, 1979, ISBN 0-89577-059-8.

External links

• Glossary of Embroidery Terms
• Kalocsa Embroidery - Hungarian pieces of folk art
• Examples of hand ball embroidery from Japan
• Virtual Museum of Textile Arts
• Embroidery Handbook