Embroidery: A Thread Craft Beyond Words!

Crafting a fabric with needle and thread is embroidery. The fabric is the artist’s canvas and

the intricate embroidery is his painting on it. The medium being the threads. Undoubtedly, embroidery is a thread craft beyond words. A paradigm of antiquated nooks and the regal epoch. It is a testament to the patronage of art and royalty. It represents the rich cultural heritage.

At Krown Kouture, our adept craftsmen thread the fabric beautifully. Moreover, a majority of our embroidery is handwoven and not machine-made. Intriguingly, there are numerous embroidery patterns and styles, but here we introduce you to some of the finest and regal ones.

Although the world does embroidery, but the thread craft of Indian artisans has been cherished by dedicated craftsmen and has the world obsessing over them. Our inspiration lies in the imperial epoch of the Indian traditions and majestic Victorian era.

The Basis of Designs

Embroidery designs are formed on the basis of texture of the fabric and stitch. Embroidery may also include materials other than threads, like pearls, beads, stones and sequins. Presently, Embroidery is available with a wide variety of colored yarns. Fundamental stitches of hand embroidery include running stitch, chain stitch, cross stitch and satin stitch. Also, surface embroidery techniques are most economical.

As indicated previously, Indian embroidery stands out for unique stitches and use of fabrics and colors. The embroidery ranges from Zardozi, Chikankari, Mirror Work, Phulkari, Aari, Kashidakari and Kantha to name a few. While India is known for its beautiful embroidery techniques, we have handpicked a few for you that have been inspiring generations of designers over the years

Zardozi

An ancient art of sewing gold and silver threads on a fabric, Zardozi comes from the land of Persia. An embroidery that was once used to embellish royal garments, the art flourished in the 17th century during the rule of Mughal emperor Akbar. Interestingly, original Zardozi work used gold and silver threads as well as pearls and precious stones, and the choice of fabrics too had to be royal. Hence, plush velvets and rich silks complemented this rich embroidery. However, today’s Zardozi work uses a combination of copper wire with silver or golden polish and silk threads. But, that hasn’t taken away from the royal feel of the craft!

Mirror Work

Mirror work, also known as shisha, is a popular craft from Gujarat and Rajasthan. The Mughal Empire saw the first forms of this art in the 17th century. Subsequently, this craft stands out because of its use of mirrors and colorful threads. This embroidery is created by using small pieces of mirrors of various shapes and sizes, stitched in between colorful embroidery. While clothes embellished with mirror work are must-haves for Navratri festivities, this type of work also adorns bags, accessories, decorative pieces and home decor.

Aari

One of the most famous forms of Kashmiri embroidery that deserves a special mention is Aari. Aari embroidery, also known as crewel work, is a specialty of Kashmiri artisans. Primarily, created in fine, concentric rings of chain stitch using a long-hooked needle called the crewel, it is a form of very fine embroidery that involves elaborate and intricate floral motifs favored by the royals.

Phulkari

As the name suggests, Phulkari is the embroidery of flower motifs on fabric. Traditionally practiced by women of the house as a pastime, this embroidery is quite a unique one. The stitches are embroidered on the reverse of the cloth so that the design takes shape in the front. Moreover, the fabric used is usually a hand-spun or natural-dyed khadi cloth. The contrast of bright colors on a lighter colored fabric is what makes this embroidery stand out.

Chikankari

From the land of Tehzeeb and Nazaquat, Lucknow, Chikankari is a delicate and intricate embroidery style that is believed to have been introduced by Noor Jehan, the wife of Mughal emperor Jahangir. While the art flourished under the patronage of the Mughals, references to the art have been found as early as the 3rd century BC with Megasthenes mentioning the use of flowered muslins by Indians. A chikan piece is created by block printing patterns on it. Following which the craftsmen then embroider stitches along the pattern, and the finished piece is later washed to remove traces of the prints. Traditionally, Chikankari began as a type of white-on-white embroidery, but today the craft uses a variety of fabrics and colors. From white thread embroidered on soothing pastels to colored silk threads, Chikankari has evolved into an art for those with a taste for the finer things.

All these are bound to accentuate your ensembles and make you feel like royalty, this is a Krown Kouture promise!