Countries with strong embroidery tradition

I'm considering going on to do the City & Guilds level 3 diploma when I've finished my certificate and part of the work is to do illustrated studies of 3 countries with strong traditions of embroidery. Not a problem in itself as there are several that fall into this category, but most of them really have been done to death. I mean, almost everyone does China, Japan, India or Norway. I want to do something different. I've already thought about Korea and Brazil, but can anyone think of others? I need places with information that's easy to find (preferably in English, although I can manage in Romance and Germanic languages) and I would rather like one in each of 3 different continents.

Views: 111

▶ Reply to This

Replies to This Discussion

Permalink Reply by Violette Severin on March 10, 2009 at 20:48
India and other Central Asian states have beautiful embroidery traditions that you should consider.
Permalink Reply by Stefania Bressan on March 13, 2009 at 1:45
And what about Italy? Besides a long tradition in embroidery for the house (table linens, sheets, curtains...) we have as well many regional techniques that are still practiced and teached. Have a look Tuttoricamo, a non-profit site made by several keen embroiderers.

Ciao, Stefania
Permalink Reply by Elizabeth Braun on March 13, 2009 at 9:14
Grazie Stefania and everyone else! There seems to be so much choice that I'm going to enjoy looking into a few places whilst I make up my mind.=)

Current front runners are:
Brazil
Germany
Italy
Korea
Taiwan

Definite 'No's are:
China
India
Japan
Norway
not because they're no good, but simply because they've been done to death and I want to do something relatively fresh. I'll pump my teacher for all the countries she's deep down sick of seeing!!!

Thanks to you all for your interest and ideas!

Love, Elisabeth=)
Permalink Reply by Marianne on March 14, 2009 at 8:03
What to think of the Netherlands? There is a tradition on the island of Marken that is very specific. W e have a teacher who is specialist in embroidery of Marken: http://www.margreetbeemsterboer.nl/GBindex.html. She also knows a lot of other traditional techniques from the Netherlands and also other countries of Europe.
Permalink Reply by Janine on March 17, 2009 at 11:17
I think you can find a great tradition of embroidery in the East European countries. You just have to look at the old traditional costumes. I've seen an exhibition, simply amazing!
Permalink Reply by eternalnomad on March 19, 2009 at 2:10
Hi Elisa,

I am from India and you can ask me queries specific from here as India has very strong tradition of Hand Embroideries. You can find change community wise.

aVni - me2avni@yahoo.co.in
Permalink Reply by Susie Turnau on May 4, 2009 at 7:06
Hungary has a very strong tradition of embroidery, with specific designs for villages which identify where you live. Of course, today these "costumes" are not worn for every day. As in most countries in the world they are only ceremonial, but many girls still learn to do the embroidery which is very intricate and colorful. Check it out!
Permalink Reply by worksofhands on May 9, 2009 at 3:32
What about the heavy goldworks of Mexico and Spain on the religious vestments or bullfighters? I am learning how to make goldworks on the vestments of religious icons. The technique was brought by the Mexicans and Spaniards in the Renaissance era as seen in the religous icons they brought with them, Philippines were colonized by Spain in the 1500s. I am not a catholic, but the technique fascinates me. While researching for more goldworks, bordados en oro, ricamo oro, broderie d´or, I discovered the costumes of the toreros (bullfighters). They are very beautiful.
Permalink Reply by buket75 on May 16, 2009 at 7:38
Permalink Reply by TheeCoyote on June 1, 2009 at 13:06
Pardon my naiveté, what is City and Guilds?
Permalink Reply by Elizabeth Braun on June 1, 2009 at 13:43
An examining body based in the UK who offer syllabuses in just about any subject you can imagine, including quite a number of textile and embroidery ones: embroidery, machine embroidery, stumpwork, goldwork, patchwork & Quilting, hand knit textiles, silk painting....
Permalink Reply by Thymedremr on June 7, 2009 at 15:37
Have you thought about Turkey? I lived there a few years when my father was stationed there. I saw beautiful work in the museums and created in front of my eyes. They also create a form of lace work that you may have heard of oya lace. Oya lace is made using several different techniques such as needle point lace, beading, crochet and tatting. Although the needlepoint lace is the one most people see. There is South and Central America with such diverse people and techniques such as brazillian embroidery, weaving, a type of teneriffe lace, knitting, folk embroideries that very from village to village.So much to choose from.Have fun.

RSS

Translate this site

Site Sponsors

French Needle

 

 

 

Online Quilting Classes

 

© 2013   Created by Mary Corbet.

Badges  |  Report an Issue  |  Terms of Service