Hand Embroidery

Embellishing plain fabric with contrasting threads is at the heart of hand embroidery.

Styles, techniques, materials, and color vary widely, depending on place and tradition, but the essence of the technique is the same. Typically, embroidery has been passed down from mother to daughter over many generations and with it distinctive motifs and designs.

“To me, hand embroidery exemplifies the passing down of knowledge through the matrilineal line. Technical tips and tricks are learned from an early age, as women gather together, sharing secrets of the trade as needles shift in and out of the surface of the cloth. At the heart of the tradition, patterns, shapes, and motifs are created, and their meaning is shared among the sewing circles. When we look at embroidery, we see secrets. They flow from one thread to another, winding their way across the surface of the fabric, telling us things we just have to look closely to hear.” - Adèle