Embroidery

What is Embroidery?

Embroidery: is the handicraft of decorating fabric or other materials with needle and thread or yarn.

History: To begin with, embroidery has a long history, which dates back to more than 3000 years B.C.It is probably the first form of art, as man has used decoration with aesthetic purposes as early as the invention of the needle and thread themselves. In ancient cultures from every part of the world, embroidery and needlework was regarded as a priority only for the chosen and talented boys. (meaning only men were aloud to embroider) The embroiderers-to-be had to study the fine craft under the supervision of a master. It took them more than ten years' apprenticeship until they were approved to practice on their own.

We know of the embroidery work practiced by the ancient Egyptians. It was done with white threads on a white canvas. This embroidery is so sophisticated that even nowadays the modern technologies have difficulty doing it the same way. Another type of finest quality was the Chinese silk embroidery, known as the two-sided embroidery. It is amazingly intricate and it takes years of hard efforts to complete. Also famous is the "raised" embroidery, practiced in the 16th century. It is better known as the Elizabethan embroidery. It involved stitching decorations like butterflies, leaves and other beautiful designs with the usage of wool, leather and wood padding. Still popular today is the Western European embroidery called crewel.

Tools for Embroidery Needle Thread Embroidery hoops and frames Your design

What will we be doing? We will be creating our own embroidery patches. Maximum of 4in x 4in. (can be bigger see me) Experimentation with color mixing.

So what is experimentation with color?

It is where you put colors next to another to create an effect. This can be fades, color mixing, tone change, light to darks. Any type of color mixing. (think about how you make secondary colors)

Hand Embroidery

Running Stitch

Backstitch

Couching Stitch

Outline Stitch

Chain Stitch

Videos of stitches to try. Fish bone ObvihZF2Q ObvihZF2Q Bullion knot UV9F4RGNg French knot Cq24d5-8s

The running stitch. m/watch?v=W4nhj8kMp AI

Things to try.

Remember to fill the full area.

When you feel ready you can try and create your own type of stitch.

You can draw your own image on cloth and then fill it as you go. So you never feel lost. Make sure to fill the full areas of the picture (see the foot and how it is filled in)

So what should I make?: Think about things you like. Such as... Landscapes Animals A quote with an object A family crest Any ideas?

What you should do right now: 1. Take your note books out and start drawing ideas for your design. 2. Measure out a 4x4 circle or square to work in. this will be the size of your design. 3.Use colored pencil and sharpie to make your design. –make sure it is very detailed. 4. Find a piece of fabric you would like to use. From the box.