Introduction to Embroidery

Embroidery, also known as needle embroidery in ancient times, is a process of using embroidery needles to draw colored threads and embroider the designed patterns on textiles, using the stitches to form patterns. In ancient times, it was called "practice" or "needlework". Due to the fact that embroidery is mostly done by women, it is an important part of "needlework". Embroidery is one of the ancient handicrafts in China, with a history of over 2000 years. According to the Book of Shangshu, the system of official clothing dating back over 4000 years stipulated that "clothing is painted while clothing is embroidered". Until the Zhou Dynasty, there was a record of "embroidering and working together". The embroidery unearthed from Hubei and Hunan during the Warring States and Han dynasties is of high level. During the Tang and Song dynasties, embroidery was used with uniform needles and rich colors, making it popular to use embroidery for calligraphy, painting, decorations, and other purposes. During the Ming and Qing dynasties, there was a large scale of palace embroidery in the feudal dynasties, and folk embroidery was further developed. Suzhou embroidery, Guangdong embroidery, Long embroidery, Hunan embroidery, and Shu embroidery were successively produced, known as the "Five Famous Embroideries". In addition, there are also Gu embroidery, Beijing embroidery, Ou embroidery, Lu embroidery, Min embroidery, Bian embroidery, Han embroidery, Ma embroidery, and Miao embroidery,
Each has its own style, which has been passed down to this day and is timeless. Embroidery has dozens of needle techniques, including full needle, set needle, tying needle, long and short needle, punching needle, flat gold, punching sand, etc., which are rich and colorful, each with its own characteristics.
Embroidery can be divided into silk embroidery, feather embroidery, and hair embroidery according to materials. The uses of embroidery include: daily necessities such as tablecloths, pillowcases, cushions, and display items such as screens and wall hangings. The most famous embroidery in the Ming Dynasty is Gu embroidery.
Embroidery has been passed down from generation to generation in Weinan, covering the entire city. There are over a hundred varieties of designs and colors. There are mainly pillows, children's hats, belly wraps, door curtains, insoles, bed surrounds, needle and thread bags, purses, animal toys, etc. The content is mostly about flowers, birds, insects, fish, and customs. Women in Tongguan area embroidered peonies symbolizing wealth and elegant lotus flowers on both ends of the stirrup, with exquisite craftsmanship and great durability, known as "a masterpiece of Dongfu embroidery". With the changes of the times, the content of rural products has been updated. At the same time, some traditional embroidery products have entered the foreign trade market.
Hundred Bird Skirts, Princess Anle of Tang Zhongzong owns two hundred bird skirts, both of which are unparalleled treasures. It's clothes made of natural feathers. Feather embroidery not only embroiders landscapes, flowers, and birds, but also various daily necessities such as pillows, feather embroidered carpets, and feather embroidered clothing.