Embroidery, the art of creating and decorating fabric or other materials using needles and yarn. Many crafts and household items can be made with embroidery, such as hats, skirts, bags, shoes, blankets, pillows, denim, golf shirts, etc. Some people may not think much of embroidery, but in fact, it is a very crucial element in the development and culture of people. So, where did embroidery originate? The origin of embroidery It may be hard to believe, but the art of embroidery has been around the world for centuries. Primitive humans have been found using stitches to join the skin of animals for decoration. Embroidery may have originated in several different regions. Asia The first human embroidery can be traced back to the Warring States period in China between the 5th and 3rd centuries B.C., after which it became a part of their culture passed down from generation to generation. According to archaeological findings, fossilized clothing remains dating back to the 5th and 3rd centuries B.C. include elaborately decorated, hand-stitched clothing, hats and boots. The garments already had elaborate designs embroidered with silk thread. Middle East It is also believed that the Middle East was the origin of embroidery techniques and other fiber arts. Archaeological finds of paintings and vases depict the inhabitants of several ancient civilizations, such as the ancient Egyptians, Babylonians, Phoenicians, and Hebrews wearing embroidered clothing. In the case of the ancient Egyptian civilization, for example, some of the garment designs are lustrous and their decoration is thought to be a form of embroidery. Europe Europe and religion also played a part in the history of embroidery. There is evidence that queens were working to create some fine and highly skilled embroidery for the church up to about 650 AD. One of the most popular examples of creations from this period in 1066 AD is the Bayeux Tapestry by Opus Anglicanum from the 13th century. This amazing 231-foot embroidery depicts the Battle of Hastings in 1066. Applications of embroidery The application of embroidery depends on the materials available, the region and the period. It may be the expertise of a few specialists, or it may be a popular technique in a particular region. It is this versatility and flexibility of embroidery that has created different forms of work throughout history, from the simple to the elaborate and luxurious for royalty. In ancient times, different cultures employed a wide variety of rich natural materials. In Siberia, around 5000 to 6000 B.C., carefully drilled shells and decorative designs stitched on animal leather were discovered. Small pearls were combined with vellum stitching in the 1100s AD for decorating religious objects, and between the 1200s and 1300s AD, beads were formally introduced into embroidery. High-end embroidery was a symbol of status for royalty and the wealthy classes, in the form of household items and religious objects. It is found in Indian, ancient Persian, Japanese, Byzantine, medieval and baroque European and Chinese cultures. Wealthy English families, on the other hand, symbolized the girls' entry into the world of women with embroidered silks made by their daughters, shown to convey their social status. There is no denying that modern embroidery and handicrafts have become industrialized, adopting technological innovations in order to create new products adapted to the times. However, at any level, it still maintains the original artistic character of embroidery. The mastery of our ancestors, displayed with limited resources, paved the way for the creative revolution of future generations, from which we continue to draw inspiration and creativity.
