Embroidery is a craft of embellishing fabric using two main tools – a needle and a thread or yarn. Understanding embroidery’s origins make it simpler to comprehend why so many different styles go under the embroidery.
The emergence of embroidery
Undoubtedly, many embroidery stitches are rooted in the earliest forms of textiles, basketry, weaving, and mat-making. These practices were limited to attaching pieces of fabric or animal skins for attractive and well-defined cultural purposes. Owing to recent technological advancements, embroidery has drastically increased in power. From finely hand-stitched designs to the development of machines, production has become more accessible.
The process of altering, mending, strengthening, and patching cloth later encouraged the development of sewing techniques, while the ornamental potential of stitching gave rise to the art of embroidery.
With the advent of machine technology in the 1800s and the rise of Art needlework and Berlin wool-work, the popularity of elaborate freehand sewn thread embroidery started to decline. Berlin wool-work, canvas thread embroidery, enjoyed popularity during the 1870s. However, it was almost instantly replaced by counted cross-stitch, which used square-meshed canvas and stitch-by-stitch thread patterns. Bead embroidery was entering its golden age at the same time as the new needlework stitches of the 1800s, even as sophisticated freehand thread embroidery was losing favor.
Embroidery in the modern world
Drawing contrast to earlier times, needlework is highly advanced today. The recommended approach uses computerized embroidery machines with customized digitalized patterns. The machine then transfers this design to the textiles to translate the same on the product.
To generate identical designs, the process is repeated. Due to its simplicity, embroidery is becoming increasingly common among small enterprises. They are commonly used to design clothing, presents, and uniforms with logos and monograms. Decorating home linens and decorations is also a familiar practice now. Hand-stitched embroidery has grown to take the form of a much-appreciated and celebrated art form. Today, individuals also take up hand-stitched embroidery as a soothing hobby.