The art of needlework, also known by other names such as embroidery, embroidery, and thread embroidery, has long held a special place in various cultures and civilizations. This beautiful art, beyond a simple hobby, has a rich history of expressing creativity, telling stories, and transmitting cultural values. From courtly robes and war flags to practical household items, needlework has always been used as a means of decoration, symbolization, and artistic expression.
The History and Origins of Needlework
Traces of needlework can be found in millennia BC. Archaeological evidence shows that early humans tried to decorate animal skins and primitive fabrics using primitive tools and plant threads. In the ancient civilizations of Egypt, China and India, needlework reached its peak and unique examples of clothes and fabrics decorated with delicate embroidery have been left behind. In Iran, this art is also very old. The discovery of ancient needles and pieces of embroidered fabric in different regions of Iran is proof of this claim.
During the Safavid and Qajar eras, needlework in Iran achieved unprecedented prosperity. Courtiers and nobles used embroidered clothes and accessories, and this art had become a symbol of luxury and wealth. Skilled craftsmen created intricate and stunning designs using silk, gold and silver threads. This era was full of innovation in needlework designs and techniques, and various local styles emerged throughout Iran.
Tools and raw materials
To start needlepoint, you need relatively simple tools and great materials that, with a little creativity and knowledge, you can create unique works:
Fabric: Choosing the right fabric is the first step in needlepoint. Fabrics with a specific and strong texture such as linen, burlap, silk, and velvet are suitable for needlepoint. The appropriate fabric is selected depending on the type of design and stitching.
Thread: There is a wide variety of thread in needlepoint. Damask, silk, turban, linen, and even metallic threads are among the available options. Each type of thread has its own characteristics and creates a different effect.
Needle: Needles for needlepoint come in different sizes and types. Needles with sharp tips are suitable for delicate fabrics, and needles with larger holes are suitable for thicker threads.
Hoop (Embroidery hoop): The hoop holds the fabric firmly and prevents it from wrinkling during sewing. This tool comes in a variety of sizes.
Scissors: A small, sharp pair of scissors is essential for cutting threads.
Accessories: A permanent marker, sewing pencil, carbon, and parchment paper are used to transfer the design onto the fabric.
Types of needlework
Needlework encompasses a wide range of techniques and styles, each with its own beauty and application. Some of the most popular types of needlework include:
Khamedouzi needlework: This type of embroidery is done with white thread on white fabric and is often used to decorate clothes and tablecloths.
Patehduzi needlework: A traditional Kerman art that is done with colored threads on thick woolen fabric. Patehduzi is famous for its intricate designs and vibrant colors.
Baluchduzi needlework: This art belongs to the province of Sistan and Baluchistan and is done with colored threads and beautiful geometric designs on fabric. Baluchduzi is often used to decorate local clothes and tablecloths.
Rashti Embroidery: A type of embroidery with silk thread that is common in Rasht and is often used to decorate tablecloths and janmaz.
Turkmen Embroidery: This art is also a traditional Turkmen art that is done with colored threads and geometric designs on fabric and is mostly used to decorate local clothes and bags.
Modern Embroidery: With the passage of time and changing tastes, embroidery has also undergone changes. Today, we are witnessing the emergence of modern styles of embroidery that use minimalist designs and different colors. These styles have provided new opportunities for artistic expression and the use of embroidery in interior decoration and contemporary fashion.
