Embroidery work with its several distinguishing techniques is an art form that is native to India and almost every state of this country has its own unique embroidery style. From Kashida in Kashmir to Kantha embroidery in Bengal, the possibilities are unlimited.
Let us then look at ribbon embroidery and different types of hand embroidery work.
Ribbon Work Techniques
source: youtube
Hence, from single and double-faced satins to velvet, grosgrain, brocade, check and printed types, there is a wide variety of ribbons available in the market today. Though their primary use is for trimming, when used imaginatively, fine ribbons can be used as a type of embroidery thread for creating beautiful textures, stitching on fabric or canvas and for decorative effects. You can apply them on a machine by stitching them down either flat or ruched, gathered or pleated. Ordinary matching sewing thread is the type of thread used for machine or hand appliqué. Chenille needles or large-eyed tapestry needles are generally used with ribbons for embroidery work.
The Ribbon on Fabric:
Firstly, start by choosing a fine 1.5-mm or 3-mm wide ribbon, threaded in a blunt, large-eyed needle and a loosely woven fabric. Next, make sure that the ribbon does not twist unintentionally and spoil the stitch. You can experiment with surface embroidery stitches. Securing the ends of the ribbon with a few stitches in the cotton thread is crucial to start and finish.
Hand Embroidery Work Using Ribbon on Canvas:
Start by choosing a ribbon of such width that it should match the size of the holes in the canvas. Needlepoint stitches are suitable for this purpose but it is important to ensure that the ribbon lies flat without twisting.
Stitching Ribbon by Machine:
Wide ribbons are best stitched when attached to the backing fabric by topstitching along both edges using either straight or zigzag stitches.
Narrow ribbons are best stitched when the width is set slightly wider than that of the ribbon and using an open zigzag stitch. Ribbons are also available in the gathered or ruched form. Then, work a zigzag line of long stitches from edge to edge along the length of the ribbon, to achieve the ruched form. After drawing up the gathers, stitch the ruched ribbon in place.
The different types of hand embroidery works are as follows-
1) Open Work:
In this type of embroidery work designs, a thread is drawn from the fabric and the remaining part of the thread is tied in many different patterns leaving open spaces in the fabric which form a pattern of its own.
2) Counted Thread:
Cross stitch is a popular counted thread hand embroidery work design that involves counting thread in the fabric for each stitch so that symmetrical stitches are formed.
3) Outline Embroidery Work:
source: youtube
This technique involves stitching just the outline of the design with stitches like backstitch, stem stitch, outline stitch, etc.
4) Void Embroidery Work:
Instead of filling the whole design, just the background of the design is filled in the void embroidery work. A particular work of this type is the Assisi work which creates a striking negative design.
5) Raised Work:
Zardosi work is an example of this type of raised/padded embroidery done to form a dimensional effect.
6) Whitework:
Also known as French Laid work, the whitework embroidery technique refers to all work done on white fabric with white embroidery floss. This includes shadow work, Broderie Anglaise etc.
7) Needle Weaving:
Also called Persian openwork, this embroidery work design involved drawing thread from the fabric. Then the remaining thread is woven with a thicker thread with darning or re-weaving patterns and the open thread is overcast with decorative stitches.
8) Candlewick Embroidery:
Candlewick embroidery is a whitework embroidery technique that uses white thread to embroider and is almost always done on unbleached muslin with white floss. In this technique, a heavy thread is used to fill the full design with knot stitches and a series of colonial knots are done on the lines of the design.
9) Fish Scale Embroidery:
To fill embroidery designs, scales of fishes like goldfish or perch is used in this type of hand embroidery work which was usually done on velvet and other rich fabric. To stitch the fish scale on the fabric, holes are made at the base of each fish scale.
10) Sashiko Embroidery:
Sashiko embroidery is a Japanese embroidery work that uses running stitches in beautiful patterns.
11) Silk Ribbon Embroidery:
Instead of embroidery floss, this embroidery work is done with silk or synthetic ribbon threaded on a needle. For you to do the ribbon work, most of the kits have designs printed on the fabric and the 3D effect of this embroidery work design is phenomenal. To further enhance this embroidery work, you can use beads and embroidery stitches.
12) Net Embroidery:
source: snapdeal
The see-through open nature of the net makes it a challenge. So, it is a skill of its own to embroider on the net. Firstly, you need to ensure that there are no knots or backstitches. Next, draw the design on the net.
13) Mountmellick Work:
In this type of embroidery work developed in Ireland, we use white embroidery thread on white fabric and raised or padded stitches. Mountmellick work refers to delicate work done on two layers of fine linen with a layer of the net in between.
Also known as fine white work, the use of varying thicknesses of thread in this type of embroidery work creates a beautifully textured effect. Most of the stitches are visible on the face of the fabric and not much of this embroidery work is evident on the back.
14) Bargello Embroidery:
Also known as flame or Florentine embroidery, this is a type of vivid embroidery work with a shading effect. Long, straight & vertical stitches are used to create geometric and zig-zag designs. Bargello embroidery work design is usually done on canvas.
15) Richelieu Cutwork:
Eyelets and ladders are used in this type of cutwork technique.
You won’t have to think twice about your career options by enrolling in our online classes on embroidery work.
Also Read : Different Types of Hand Embroidery Techniques
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