1 elaboration of an interpretation by the use of decorative (sometimes fictitious) detail; "the mystery has been heightened by many embellishments in subsequent retellings" [syn: embellishment]
2 decorative needlework [syn: fancywork]
- Hungarian: hímzés, kézimunka
- Hungarian: hímzés, kézimunka
the elaboration of an account with details
- Hungarian: kiszínezés
Embroidery is the art or handicraft of decorating fabric or other materials with designs stitched in strands of thread or yarn using a needle. Embroidery may also use other materials such as metal strips, pearls, beads, quills, and sequins. Sewing machines can be used to create machine embroidery.
Types of embroideryEmbroidery is classified according to the use of the underlying foundation fabric. One classification system divides embroidery styles according to the relationship of stitch placement to the fabric:
- In counted-thread embroidery, patterns are created by making stitches over a pre-determined number of threads in the foundation fabric. Counted-thread embroidery is more easily worked on an even-weave foundation fabric such as embroidery canvas, aida cloth, or specially woven cotton and linen fabrics although non-evenweave linen is used as well. Examples include needlepoint and cross-stitch.
A second division classifies embroidery according to whether the design is stitched on top of or through the foundation fabric:
- In Canvas work, threads are stitched through a fabric mesh to create a dense pattern that completely covers the foundation fabric. All canvas work is not counted-thread embroidery. There are printed and hand painted canvases where the painted or printed image is meant to serve as a color guide. Stitches are sometimes of the stitcher's choosing.
An important distinction between canvas work and surface embroidery is that surface work requires the use of an embroidery hoop or frame to stretch the material and ensure even stitching tension that prevents pattern distortion. Canvas work tends to follow very symmetrical counted stitching patterns with designs developing from repetition of one or only a few similar stitches in a variety of thread hues. Most forms of surface embroidery, by contrast, are distinguished by a wide range of different stitching patterns used in a single piece of work.
Ribbon embroidery is embroidery performed with ribbon rather than standard six-thread string. Silk ribbon or a silk/organza blend ribbon are commonly used for this type of embroidery. There are many different styles of ribbon embroidery, such as woven rose, French knot, feather stich, fly stich, fly stich fern, couching stich, lazy daisy, looped petal flower, Japanese ribbon stich, stem stich rose, split stich, and straight stich. Those are usually taught to beginners who are just learning silk ribbon embroidery. Ribbon embroidery is most commonly used to create floral motifs. It's said to have a certain romantic and antique quality.
- In Machine embroidery, Embroidery designs are stitched with an automated embroidery machine. These designs are "digitized" with Embroidery Software. They can have different types of "fills" which add texture and design to the embroidery. Almost all basic types of embroidery can be created with Machine Embroidery. These include: Applique, Free Standing Lace, Cutwork, Cross-stitch, Photo Stitch, and Basic Embroidery. Most often this type of embroidery is associated with business shirts, gifts, team apparel and commercial use.
HistoryThe origins of embroidery are lost in time, but examples survive from ancient Egypt, Iron Age Northern Europe and Zhou Dynasty China. It has many roots all around the world and is being done in many different ways because of their cultures.
Elaborately embroidered clothing, religious objects, and household items have been a mark of wealth and status in many cultures including ancient Persia, India, Byzantium, medieval England (Opus Anglicanum or "English work"), and Baroque Europe.
Hand embroidery is a traditional art form passed from generation to generation in many cultures, including northern Vietnam, Mexico, and eastern Europe.
The Bayeux Tapestry is not a true tapestry; it is an elaborately embroidered wall hanging originally displayed at the Bayeux Cathedral, and now housed at a special museum in Bayeux, Normandy.
- S.F.A. Caulfield and B.C. Saward, The Dictionary of Needlework, 1885.
- Virginia Churchill Bath, Needlework in America, Viking Press, 1979 ISBN 0-670-50575-7
- Readers Digest Complete Guide to Needlework, 1979, ISBN 0-89577-059-8.
- Glossary of Embroidery Terms
- Kalocsa Embroidery - Hungarian pieces of folk art
- Examples of hand ball embroidery from Japan
- Virtual Museum of Textile Arts
- Embroidery Handbook
embroidery in Old English (ca. 450-1100): Blēocræft
embroidery in Belarusian: Вышыўка
embroidery in Bulgarian: Бродиране
embroidery in Catalan: Brodat
embroidery in Chuvash: Тĕрĕ
embroidery in Czech: Vyšívání
embroidery in Danish: Broderi
embroidery in German: Sticken
embroidery in Spanish: Bordado
embroidery in Esperanto: Brodado
embroidery in French: Broderie
embroidery in Italian: Ricamo
embroidery in Hebrew: רקמה (מלאכת יד)
embroidery in Hungarian: Hímzés
embroidery in Dutch: Borduren
embroidery in Japanese: 刺繍
embroidery in Norwegian Nynorsk: Broderi
embroidery in Polish: Haft
embroidery in Portuguese: Bordado
embroidery in Russian: Вышивание
embroidery in Sicilian: Raccamu
embroidery in Finnish: Kirjonta
embroidery in Swedish: Broderi
embroidery in Ukrainian: Вишивка
embroidery in Chinese: 刺绣
adjunct, adornment, applique, arrangement, basting, beauties, binding, buttonholing, color, color patterns, colors, colors of rhetoric, crochet, decor, decoration, elaboration, elegant variation, embellishment, emblazonment, emblazonry, figure, figure of speech, fine writing, floridity, floridness, flourish, flower arrangement, floweriness, flowers of speech, frill, furniture arrangement, garnish, garnishment, garniture, illumination, knitting, lushness, luxuriance, macrame, needlepoint, netting, ornament, ornamentation, petit point, purple patches, quilting, ribbing, tatting, trim, trimming, window dressing