Embroidery as a hobby has been something that is age-old and is practiced for centuries in every nation. In the States, sewing and knitting were eternally popular because of the possibility of cold weather and climatic conditions, which allowed scope for women to practice knitting to make or knit sweaters and cardigans, as a few knitted items to name.

Embroidery of bed covers, pillows and clothes were followed and practiced in various nations, as an example, Indian women found it to be a great pastime to embroider pillow cases, duppattas, children’s handkerchiefs with designs and their initials and so on.

Embroidery is a wonderful hobby and one that should ideally be followed for it is both, useful and functional. It also serves as being super interesting and creative, without having to be creatively inclined and it’s a good idea to practice embroidery on material that one can wear because creativity can make that look a unique one from any other look. This creates an individual style and discretion.

Creative embroidery ideas for clothes.

• Stitch patterns of embroidery on tee-shirts that make the tee a distinct one with a personal touch
• Embroidery patterns which are minute and initials that are stitched with it on handkerchiefs are personalized and creative.
• Embroidery on pants or jeans is a fabulous way to make your own style statement and has the scope of making your own fashion trend visible.

Also below are creative options for non-clothing items (items that are besides clothes)

• Embroidery on pillow covers
• Embroidering table mats or table sheet covers for a distinctive look and style
• Embroidery or knitting that can make wall-hangings.
• Embroidery on other cloth-based or material-based items.

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In fact, though more and more people are taking to embroidery on paper, yet the fact is that it is not a relatively new form of handicraft. This has been in existence since years. There are thousands of handmade embroidered cards that are distributed each year.

Apart from this, most students are taught embroidery on sheets of paper before being taught on any fabric. Not only that pattern sketches and drawings are first made on paper and then transferred onto the fabric. Many clients and customers insist on seeing a tracing of the pattern on paper, before it is carried out on fabric.

While this handicraft is not sold, many people take this form of embroidery to be a hobby and create gifts for near and dear ones. Some even teach the physically and mentally challenged this craft, so that they create attractive paper crafts that can be sold during festivals and special occasions.

One can use handmade paper in order to create an attractive paper embroidered envelope or greeting card. One could also make a handmade paper wall hanging with embroidery done on it. This can be laminated or then framed so that it does not get damaged over a period of time. There are varied options, as to the styles and types of stitches that can be used to create and exquisite design.

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1. Paper Embroidery Patterns

Following here are the varied embroidery stitches about which every embroiderer should be aware :

• Outline stitch : This is also known as the stem stitch. This is done in the direction from left to right. The needle and thread is worked through along the outline of the pattern, moving from left to right. The length of the stitch varies according to the intricacy of the pattern.
• Whipped stem stitch : This stitch is done over the outline stitch with a contrasting color-thread.
• Running stitch : This stitch is a means of creating an outline, as well as padding. By creating small up-and-down even stitches.
• Threaded running stitch : This is the in-and-out stitch used to create the outline.
• Whipped running stitch : This stitch is done over the running stitch, usually with a contrasting thread to create a variant effect of the pattern.
• Chain stitch : With this method the embroiderer creates a chain over the printed pattern. This is stitch that travels from the left to the right.
• Back stitch : This stitch moves from right to left, which is in contrast to forward left to right stitches.
• Threaded backstitch : This implies created a woven pattern over the base backstitch with a contrast thread.
• Cross-stitch : In the method the letter ‘x’ is created. This is the most common stitching technique used in hand embroidery.

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According to experts, even a hobby or leisure activity can create stress when one is not organized. One needs to realize that the basic factor to keep stress at bay is be well organized. Thus, even when pursuing a hobby such as embroidery, one should have everything in place. And this can be done by maintaining a proper kit. Easy to locate, containing all the articles for embroidery, and easy to wrap up and keep away. This ensures better time management. Otherwise, there is no difference between the stress involved in finding files at the office, and locating the needle, threads, and other tools required for this creative activity

Thus, depending on the type of pattern one should be well equipped with all the requirements. What all goes into an embroidery kit? This question is answered as follows :

• The fabric on which the embroidery has to be done
• The sketch of the design or pattern on paper
• Tracing paper and carbon paper
• Paper
• Embroidery ring
• Thimble
• Needles of varying sizes
• A small pair of scissors
• Threads…
  the various types of threads include:
  1. Cotton thread
  2. Rayon thread
  3. Polyester thread
  4. Silk thread
  5. Metallic thread
  6. Matte thread

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However, one should be aware that the embroidery done by a machine is not as expensive as that done by hand. This is because embroidering with a machine is not as time-consuming as hand embroidery, which requires a lot of laborious hours depnding on the kind of pattern or design.

In fact, embroidery done by the machine is rather inexpensive compared to that done by the hand. This is because it is less time consuming, and even easier and faster than hand embroidery. It is a matter of placing the printed pattern below the in-machine-needle and the rest is done.

Apart from doing embroidery using the machine is not just about the automated needle and thread work, but also the aspect of digital designing, with a range of embroidery machines connected to a computer with the digital patterns and designs. The input digitally created designs are transferred to the machine and then the embroiderer does his/her work with the machine.

However, one must note that while the embroidery machine provides a cheaper option for embroidered garments, yet there is a limitation in the kind of stitches that can be used. Manufacturers are working towards creating machines with more stitch-options, but yet, the hand embroiderers are given orders for this reason.

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• Yashoda Embroidery Classes: Viman Nagar, Pune.
• Aari and Embroidery Class: Fashion Arts, M-71, Anna Nagar, Chennai.
• Government Polytechnic for Women: Sector 10-D, Chandigarh.
• Krishna Embroidery Class: Rajhans Shopping, Varachha Road, Surat.
• Society of Fashion Technology: Room No. 7, Geetanjali Building, Manchu Road, Near Malad Subway, Near Suchak Hospital, Malad (E), Mumbai.
• Womens training Institute: Lokus Playschool, 17th Road, Off Khar Danda, Near Denim World, Khar, Mumbai.
• Shalini Tailoring Institute: KBCC Complex, Tumkur Road, Jallahalli Cross, Near KBC Kalyana Mantap, T Dasarahalli, Bangalore.
• Deepa Classes: No. 291, 6th Main, 3rd Cross, Sadanand Nagar, Near NGEF East, Indira Nagar, Bangalore.
• Chitrabhanu School of Art & Handicraft: 161/2, Rash Behari Avenue, Near Gariahat Crossing, Ballygunge, Kolkatta.

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Any expert in embroidery patterns would vouch for the fact that hand embroidery requires far more effort and determination to complete the creative job. But then, for the learner it is important to learn about the techniques of embroidery, as well as the types of threads and fabrics based on which one can work a design or pattern. One needs to understand about the types of needles, which is determined by the type of fabric used.

Amongst the various kinds of stitches is cross-stitch, which is the most popular of all the stitches, wherein one has to create the letter ‘x’. The entire pattern or design is created out of the ‘x’-shaped stitches. Then there is ribbon embroidery, which can be done using pearl cotton and embroidery floss.

There is also hand embroidery on canvas. For this one needs to use thick threads. these threads maybe silk, metallic or matte. One can either sketch or have a pattern printed on this base. Depending on how thick the canvas is one can create a wall hanging.

Apart from these methods, there are varied other forms of embroidery that one can learn from the classes. There are also various publications and books that are self-explanatory, providing a step-by-step methodology of doing embroidery. These books are available for embroiderers at various levels of practice. Similarly there are books and magazines that publish patterns and designs that ca be traced onto the fabric.

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There are a number of companies that manufacture threads across the length and breadth of the country. In fact, there are small local brands, that are popular in limited length and breadth area. There are other national players that have been around of years together, and are growing strength to strength with each passing year. This is more so because of their commitment to developing better threads. This includes more variety in colors, as well as types.

Today, embroiderers are in fact experimenting with methods from regions outside their own, and attempting to create interesting and attractive fusion patterns, using their needlework talents. In fact, because of the varied sources of patterns, today, women in general are more aware of what they can seek for their clothes.

Customers are ready to spend extra time with the local embroiderer in order to have them create an exclusive pattern on the fabric given to them.

They are ready to be educated on various techniques, along with the type of embroidery threads used, which include the following :

1. Embroidery floss
2. Stranded cloth
3. Pearl cotton
4. Matte embroidery cotton
5. Medici embroidery threads
6. Crewel yarn
7. Persian yarn
8. Tapestry yarn
9. Polyester machine embroidery threads
10. Rayon machine embroidery threads

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Mothers-to-be as well as grandmothers-to-be enjoy spending almost all their spare time creating patterns for the coming baby. It gives them creative pleasure, as well as creates an even more special bond with the coming baby. It is something that cannot be explained, but only felt.

Amongst the common and easy to create baby embroidery patterns are :

• An anchor: This can be created attractively by using colors such as – red, royal blue and gold.
• Baby boots: This can done in varied solid colors such as red, blue, yellow and green. However, if it is for a baby girl one could also use darker shades of pink or a bright orange.
• A little lamb: This can be created by using pink or lilac for the body, gold for the bell around the neck and brown for the outline and parts of the body, such as the paws and eyes and nose. One can also create some blades of green grass.

Amongst the other patterns for baby embroidery are :

1. Baby rattles
2. Ballet shoes for baby girls
3. Balloons
4. Colorful cake
5. Bows
6. Bunny rabbits
7. Baby elephant
8. Fawns in the forest
9. Football
10. Ice-cream
11. A happy half moon
12. Sun with a happy face
13. Stars
14. Baby bear
15. Hats
16. Teddy bear
17. Snowman

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According to those who are immersed into creating paper embroidery patterns, it is rather simple and a lot of creative freedom to bring about newer patterns. The most important thing is that one can sketch the pattern and then create the holes as per one’s desire, instead of following the more or less rigid forms in fabric embroidery.

In fact, there is variability in textures that can be created, because of the creative freedom. Many people use their paper embroidery hobby as a means of gifting for various occasions. And what could be more special than a handmade card with something innovative done on them.

In fact, paper embroidery patterns can done on gift wrapping paper – textured and otherwise. So, a paper with a print can look even more attractive with embroidery, or then a plain sheet of gift wrapping paper can be adorned this way. And this is not even time-consuming. This is type of embroidery is largely pursued as a hobby. In fact, many people make such greeting cards in their spare time. And presenting a handmade greeting card is almost invaluable, as compared to any of the thought-provoking readymade cards available across the counters.

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