Embroidery Patterns

Through the ages there have been various forms of hand embroidery. And interestingly each region has its own specific style. Thus, while one thinks of Indian embroidery there is no one style that comes into play, but a variety, depending on the regional style, passed through the ages. This includes the age old intricate handmade patterns, as well as the new-age machine embroidery designs. And this is a wide, almost immeasurable range, considering the eras through which there has been progression.

While hand embroidery, in its various forms, was the only known way of transferring beautiful fabric-adorning patterns, in the last century machine embroidery seems to have come into mainstream importance. Basically, machine embroidery, as a term, denotes two variant actions…

Firstly, the use of a sewing machine, in order, to bring about free-hand embroidery patterns, or then printed embroidery patterns with the use of built-in stitches. This type of machine is generally connected to a computer in which the designs are created with the use of a software. Then while embroidering one has to simple place the fabric below the needle and thread and pump the machine, as the pattern in transferred onto the fabric.

Secondly, the particularly designed embroidery or sewing embroidery machine. These machines automatically adorn the fabric on the basis of a pre-made pattern, which is input in the embroidery machine.

In fact, in the last couple of years, a number of embroiderers tend towards using the embroidery machines that are driven by computers. These machines can read the digital machine embroidery patterns, which are created by a specially designed software. The fact is that there is no end to the amount of technological advancements in every sphere of life. Embroiderers are also enjoying the fruits of this with the innovations in the embroidery machines.

The most interesting of all the existing arts and crafts are the ones done by hand. This includes the intricate needlework done on various fabrics, for various reasons such as clothing, upholstery, etc. In fact, hand embroidery has a number of forms that have become a part of every embroiders rich heritage. And this continues to increase from time to time as some specialists innovate newer patterns.

Hand-work embroidery includes the various forms:

• Blackwork : This is a type of counted-thread embroidery method. This is generally done on a fabric, which is of even-weave, with any type of thread, as long as it is black in color.
• Canvas work : In this type of embroidery the thread is stitched through a sheet of canvas or any other foundation-fabric. This, like the blackwork is type of counted-thread technique.
• Berlin wool work : This was traditionally done with tapestry wool on the canvas base. It was usually done only in petit-point stitch. It was a colorful form of embroidery that created a three-dimensional look.
• Counted-thread embroidery : This is actually any type of embroidery work wherein the embroiderer counts the number of fabric threads before inserting the needle in to the fabric.
• Cross-stitch : This is basically a double stitch method that forms an ‘x’ on the fabric. Patterns are created using this technique. This is in fact the basic stitch taught to all beginners. There are the embroidery canvas base material on which young girls can practice this stitch, creating varied patterns and designs.

The other hand embroidery methods include :

1. Cutwork
2. Darning
3. Drawn thread work