Embroidery is an art that you can keep alive stitch by stitch
While traveling, as part of my Air Force duties, I had the opportunity to visit several different countries. No matter where I landed, I would make my way to a shopping center, even in the airport, if time permitted. I always tried to pick up something for my wife and kids and other relatives. My wife, mother, sister and sister-in law collected miniature spoons, my oldest sister had a collection of salt and pepper shakers, while my youngest sister liked elephants. My baby brother collects all things to do with M&M candies and I am a bald eagle kind of guy. For everybody else I just bought T-shirts. Anyway, while shopping for the family and trying to spend an equal amount on everyone so nobodies feelings would be hurt, I had the chance to observe local cultural items, including embroidery designs.
Embroidery has been around since about the 3rd century, if we can go by some surviving pieces found in China. It has had thousands of years to develop and change but the basic stitches remain the same. Some of the stitches used, even today, are the chain stitch, buttonhole, blanket, cross stitch and couple of others. These have carried the art of decorating fabrics with pictures and symbols using a needle and thread and/or yarn, through the years. Other materials have been added from time to time, to enhance the design, such as metal, beads and pearls. The thing that struck me as I traveled and observed, is that every location had their own style based on local culture.
Not being an artistic guy, I’m always amazed by the creativity of people. I would think that there would be some kind of limit on the types of materials that can be used or the designs that can be embroidered. However, I’ve seen all sorts of animals, buildings, people and landscapes depicted in limitless forms in numerous countries. There have been times when I’ve decided to buy a particular dress for my wife, because I thought she would love the embroidery, but couldn’t find that particular artwork in her size. There would be hundreds of dresses but I could not find the same artwork on any two. Wow! It’s not like shopping at Walmart.
Something I noticed in both Central America and the Middle East is that you can actually watch an artist at work, while you shop. That’s right, there is someone there stitching a design on an article of clothing or table cloth or other “canvas”, while you are looking for something to buy. In fact if you wait long enough you can purchase the piece once it is finished. This was also true of the artwork I’ve seen using other materials such as gold, leather and brass. You just don’t see that very much here in the states. In fact most of the embroidery you see is done by machine and kicked out by the thousands to be sold in Walmart or Kmart.
If you would like to get involved in a hobby where you have the opportunity to use your creativity, and produce gifts for family and friends, then embroidery is for you. You can get additional information by going to www.embroidery-design.TellMeAboutThat.comcom. Here you’ll find articles, ads and information on embroidery design and have an opportunity to learn about the tools you’ll need to get started. Have fun!
