What is embroidery: basic types and concepts

2024 Author: Sierra Becker | [email protected]. Last modified: 2024-02-26 03:46

There are many types of needlework, but now embroidery is gaining special popularity. As our great-grandmothers did centuries ago, today's girls find solace and an outlet in this difficult but exciting activity.

Embroidery as a type of needlework

What is embroidery? If you ask a young man about this, he will begin to tell you about a special machine that very quickly and accurately applies the desired image to the fabric with the help of threads. And he will be right, but to really understand what embroidery is, it is better to turn to older women or specialists in this field.

They will all unanimously say that embroidery is a special kind of art that allows you to create beautiful patterns and ornaments on clothes, tablecloths, towels and other everyday things with your own hands. And you can even embroider pictures that will decorate the walls of your home and create a cozy atmosphere.

Of course, for many people, hand embroidery seems to be a relic of the past. However, even the leading designers of the world are very partial to this needlework. So, things from "Versace", "Prada", "Chanel" are decorated with exquisite handmade embroidery.

Currently, cross-stitch and satin stitch embroidery are especially popular. Handicraft shops offera wide selection of kits, patterns and manuals for embroidery.

How to cross stitch

The cross stitch technology is very simple. However, here, as in any business, perseverance and accuracy are needed. First of all, you need to learn how to make stitches correctly. It is best to take a special fabric designed for embroidery. It is in each set, or you can ask for a piece of the desired size to be cut off. This fabric is divided into small squares, which greatly simplifies the work.

Cross stitch is easy enough to learn, even if you've never done it before.

You can embroider a cross in various ways: from top to bottom, and vice versa, you can make the required number of stitches horizontally, and then go back, finalizing the crosses.

In the first option, the stitches are made from the upper left corner to the lower right. You can do it in reverse order. The most important rule is to always work in the same direction.

Each cross consists of two stitches. It is very convenient to immediately complete the elements of one color scheme, and then proceed to the next components of the picture. If, following the scheme, you need to retreat a few cells, then the thread is drawn from the inside out. The next stitches are sewn in the same direction as the previous ones.

Even if, in theory, cross stitching seems to be something difficult and difficult for you, do not be discouraged. After all, one has only to start, and you will see that everything is much easier thanit seems.

Cross-stitching is a great practice before mastering more difficult embroidery techniques. Let's take a closer look at one of these.

What is ribbon embroidery

Lovers of the original decor will be delighted. Another interesting type of needlework is ribbon embroidery. For the first time this art originated in Italy, and later spread throughout the world.

Before you start embroidering with ribbons, you need to purchase the necessary material. Ribbons vary in material and width. Silk is considered the highest quality, they look beautiful, and thanks to them you can make very small details. Satin and satin are a cheaper option, the pattern made with such ribbons looks spectacular, and the details are very easy to make.

If you decide to use satin for embroidery, then it is advisable not to take wide ones, as the image may turn out to be rough and not very beautiful.

Embroidery with ribbons is especially attractive if you use corrugated varieties, with a width of 6 to 25 mm.

Technical requirements for work

The fabric should be dense enough so that the tapes are firmly fixed and do not disturb the relief of the matter. For the first time, you can purchase a kit and embroider according to the pattern. Having stuffed your hand and gained the necessary experience, try your hand at decorating ready-made clothes and accessories. Ribbon embroidery can revive blouses, T-shirts, bags, gloves, towels, tablecloths and much more. You can embroider a picture, it will decorate your home or be greatgift.

In addition to ribbons and fabric, you will need a needle with a wide eye and a lighter to process the cut ends of the ribbon (it is necessary that the fabric does not unravel further). For convenience, hoops are usually used. If you feel uncomfortable, you can opt out.

What does ribbon embroidery mean? There are several types of stitches, the simplest of which is considered to be straight or ribbon. It resembles ordinary sewing - the needle is brought to the outside of the fabric, a stitch of the desired length is made, and the needle is brought to the wrong side. Stitches can be made in different lengths, as required by the pattern. Make sure the tape lays flat. Only with this stitch can the whole picture be created.

Mastering Japanese and twisted seams

Another important type of seam is Japanese. Repeat everything as in the previous stitch, but before you bring the needle inside out, thread it into the middle of the tape (possibly closer to one of the edges to make the stitch sharp).

With the help of this stitch, ribbon embroidery acquires the possibility of depicting flower stems or a beautiful frame. This stitch is very easy to make. Bring the tape to the front side in the place where the end of the stalk is planned, then twist the tape several times and bring it to the wrong side under the flower. You will get a beautiful ''twisted'' stem.

These are the basic stitches you need to master in order to understand what ribbon embroidery is.

Don't be afraid to try new embroidery techniques. After all, what is embroidery? This is first of allmanifestation of your creativity. Whether you are interested in cross stitching or you prefer ribbons, the main thing is not to be afraid to start, and you will succeed.