India

Kantha Embroidery

Kantha Embroidery The beautiful quilting stitch. Actually the stitch is simple running stitch. It is the way it has been used that makes it extra ordinary. The cloth was given layers that were kept together by the stitches. The cloth had multiple uses. It could be used to sleep on or as a light [...]

Kathi Embroidery
Kathi Embroidery Kathi Embroidery is a little different from the other forms of embroidery in Gujarat. The patterns include animal motifs, flowers and peacocks adopted from kathi art. The intervening spaces is filled with leaves and buds.The mirror work is used to make the center of flowers, eyes of the birds or flower representations.
The [...]

Soof Embroidery

Soof Embroidery Soof embroidery is done by the Soofs Sodha, Rajput and Megwar communities. It is a counted thread embroidery and involves geometric patterns. The most commom pattern is ‘lehar’ or wave. The stitch used is also called soof. Any representational motifs are highly stylized. The surface satin stitch is worked from the back [...]

Aari Bharat Embroidery

Aari Bharat Embroidery Aari embroidery is done primarily by the Muslim cobbler community in India. The designs are of Mughal origin since the art was at one time patronized by them. By using subtle gradations of color the figures and motifs in the designs can be highly representational. Aari at times is also [...]

Kasuti Embroidery

Kasuti Embroidery A form of embroidery in Karnataka, it is called Kasuti there and means same as kashidakari or embroidery. It has also been desiphered as art of cotton thread and hands. The art was practiced by ladies of Maharashtra and Karnataka specially in Dharwad and Bijapur. The embroidery gives an exquisite effect to [...]

Kashmiri Embroidery

Kashmiri Embroidery Kashmiri embroidery or kashida is colorful and beautiful as Kashmir itself. Embroiders often draw inspiration from the beautiful nature around. The colors the motifsof flowers, creepers and chinar leaves, mango etc. are the most common ones. The whole pattern is created using one or two embroidery stitch styles.
Process and Stitches
The base cloth [...]

ChikanKari Embroidery

ChikanKari Embroidery Chikankari was nurtured in Uttar Pradesh and primarily in Lucknow. The work is done on very fine muslin and now on georgette and chiffon and other fine fabrics. It is more suited for the outerwear but these days there are certain exclusive creations using Chikan work in Cushion covers, pillow covers and [...]

Zardozi Embroidery

Zardozi Embroidery Zardozi the imperial metal embroidery, adorned the costumes of the royalty, wall hanging, scabbards, walls of the regal tents and the rich trappings of elephants and horses. Intricate patterns in gold and silver, studded with pearls and precious stones enhanced the beauty of rich and glowing silk, velvet and brocade.
History
Zardozi is an [...]

Phulkari Embroidery

Phulkari Embroidery The traditional Punjabi embroidery art is phulkari. The pulkari word means growing flowers. This embroidery form, true to its name includes only floral motifs in bright colors. There is sanctity to the art form as the canopy over Guru Granth Sahib, the religious book of the Sikhs is of phulkari.

Indian Embroidery Rabari Embroidery

Rabari Embroidery Rabari embroidery is a pictographic representation of their mythology, beliefs, culture and life. Women embroider their clothes, cradle cloth and other linen of the house. Embroidery is a vital, living and evolving expression of the craft and textile traditions of the Rabaris. They use glass mirrors in various shapes: [...]