Embroidery

What is embroidery?

Embroidery is the craft of decorating fabric or other materials using a needle to apply thread. Embroidery may also incorporate other materials such as pearls, beads, quills, and sequins. 

The history 

While embroidery is practiced across the world, its origin stems from China and the Near East. Early embroidery can actually be traced back to Cro-Magnon days or 30,000 B.C. Archeological finds from this time period reveal fossilized remains of heavily hand-stitched and decorated clothing. Other early examples of embroidery are found in China dating to the Warring States period between 5th and 3rd century B.C. In Sweden, the earliest finds of embroidery are from a period known as the Viking Age, around the 9th and 10th centuries. Around the year 1000, the practice of embroidery began to rise in Europe with the growth of the Christian church and royalty gaining power. Richly decorated garments and ornaments in the form of wall hangings and tablecloths were commissioned to display power and wealth.

Embroidery to me

Embroidery to me is very important. I fell in love with embroidery about three years ago when I first started college. What I love about embroidery is it’s very playful. You can experiment with it in loads of different ways and style it how you want. It can be really detailed or it can be simple.