Embroidery is the art of applying, through the thread and needle, a decoration to a piece of cloth called a background. In this blog post I will share with you some basic information on the art of embroidery, which will include history, techniques, and application.
It is not necessary to confuse the embroidery with the worked fabrics, that is to say, decorated in the loom. Embroidery is an additional ornament that is executed after the completion of the weaving process and often embroidered on richly woven fabrics.
Nor should we confuse the embroidery with the tapestry, which is also made in a loom and in which the thread of the weft completely covers the warp. The embroidery is a manual work, which is executed with thread and needle and does not cover the entire background, so it becomes an active element of the composition.
This article from Encyclopedia Britannica about embroidery is a good read to set the tone for the information I will share with you in this blog post.
When it comes to studying the art of embroidery, the specialists differentiate two aspects.
A popular one, made by an anonymous “artist”, often without a previous design, that directly traced the motifs on the canvas. This style follows the techniques and models/patterns that are pass through generations by tradition, with little change.
The other one is based on and educated approach, also called “erudite”. This one is distinguished by the application of work in quality fabrics, usually silk.
This embroidery is also characterized by the use of threads of noble materials, as well as by the use of a complex technique. The result would be a very elaborate work that can be related to the evolution of the different artistic fields of each era and that is capable of imitating, even, the effects of volume, depth and chiaroscuro of the painting.
Embroidery was used very often to decorate and enrich both the dresses and personal accessories, as well as the furniture and fabrics or the sacred ornaments used in the liturgical offices.
When embroidering a piece, the embroiderer needs a basic material, which is the thread. The threads used by the embroiderers were wool (in the Middle Ages), but above all, silk and gold (from the Modern Age).
To perform the decorative work the artist used the frame. With the frame stretched the tissues on which later embroidered with different types of threads and needles.
In the act of embroidering, the embroiderer’s right hand was placed on the upper part of the canvas or fabric to receive the needle and left under the frame to pick it up, once it had passed through the fabric in the execution of a stitch. The motifs were previously designed and drawn.
The documentation talks about traces, samples, designs or patterns. Sometimes that design was given by the embroiderer himself.
There are different types of embroidery, the most important are:
In this type the embroidery works is not executed directly on the rich silk fabric that constituted the field of the garments. In this one the motifs are embroidered on other fabrics less costly, which are then sewn to the silk fabric.
In this type the decorations are drawn on the paper and are placed on a quality fabric. Then they are cut and applied to the base of the piece that is to be decorated.
In this type the work is executed directly on the rich fabric of the base of the garment.
All these varieties of embroidery are made with a series of points that are classified according to the material they use. In this regards there is talk about the silken points, such as the point of hue, the smooth point, the chain, the stitching, the point of sand or the piping.
There are also references to gold dots, a group that includes flat gold or plain gold or chopped embroidery, and finally gold and silk dots, of which the most important is nuanced gold.
Embroidery is a beautiful art that utilizes thread and needle without covering the entire background. The results of this work can be very elaborate.
There are two key aspect of embroidery: anonymous (without following a previous design) and educated (or erudite). The later one is often applied to silk.
Threads and techniques have evolved through the years. These are manifested on three distinct types of embroidery: superimposed, applied, and direct.
Like may other crafts, embroidery offers some benefits for adults. While getting into this crafts could be challenging is is worth trying. Please, check out my blog post on the “10 Benefits of Crafting for Adults” for more details.
Have you done any embroidery work? What technique do you use?
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I needed to thank you for this good read!! I definitely enjoyed every bit of it.