Types of ancient Chinese embroidery

Embroidery, as a regional handicraft, has its own specialties and advantages after long-term accumulation and development. In China, in addition to Suzhou embroidery, Xiang embroidery, Yue embroidery and Shu embroidery, there are also Beijing embroidery, Lu embroidery, Bian embroidery, Ou embroidery, Hangzhou embroidery, Han embroidery, Min embroidery and other famous local embroidery, as well as China ethnic minorities such as Uygur, Yi, Dai, Buyi, Kazak, Yao, Miao, Tujia, Jingpo and Dong.

Four famous embroideries were formed in the middle of19th century. Besides its own artistic characteristics, another important reason is the commercialization of embroidery. Due to the different market demand and embroidery origin, embroidery handicrafts, as a commodity, began to form their own local characteristics. Among them, Jiangsu, Sichuan, Guangdong and Hunan have a wide range of products, so they are called the four famous embroideries.

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According to the characteristics and materials of embroidery, there are also classifications:

Color embroidery generally refers to the embroidery process of controlling patterns with various colored embroidery threads, which has the characteristics of smooth embroidery surface, rich stitches, fine stitches and bright colors, and is widely used in clothing accessories. The color changes of color embroidery are also very rich. It uses thread instead of pen, and produces gaudy color effect by overlapping, juxtaposing and interlacing embroidery threads of various colors. In particular, it is the most distinctive way to express the subtle changes of pattern color by setting needles, which has the effect of rendering Chinese painting.

The main feature of phimosis embroidery is that the pattern is raised with thick thread or cotton as the bottom, and then embroidered with embroidery thread. Ping Xiu needling is generally used. Embroidery with peduncle is beautiful and generous, rich in three-dimensional sense and strong in decoration. It is also called high embroidery, and it is called convex embroidery in Suzhou embroidery. Pediceled embroidery is suitable for embroidered flowers with small patterns and narrow petals, such as chrysanthemums and plum blossoms, which are generally embroidered with monochromatic threads.

Carved embroidery, also known as floor embroidery, is a kind of embroidery with certain difficulty and unique effect. Its biggest feature is that in the process of embroidery, holes are trimmed according to the needs of patterns, and various patterns are embroidered in different ways in the cut holes, so that there are both free and easy real flowers and beautiful empty flowers on the embroidery surface, which is in contrast with reality and full of interest. Embroidery is elegant and exquisite.

Patch embroidery, also known as patchwork embroidery, is a form of embroidery in which other fabrics are cut and embroidered on clothes. China Suzhou embroidery also belongs to this category. The method of embroidery is to cut tapestry cloth according to the requirements of the pattern and stick it on the embroidery surface, or put cotton and other things between the tapestry cloth and the embroidery surface to make the pattern convex and stereoscopic. After pasting, use various stitches to lock the edges. Embroidery with tapestry is simple, the pattern is mainly blocky, and the style is chic and generous.

Needle embroidery, also known as stem embroidery or thread-sticking embroidery, is an embroidery method in which various ribbons and threads are embroidered on clothes or textiles according to certain patterns. There are two commonly used nail piercing methods: open nail and hidden nail. The former needle is exposed on the threaded rod, and the latter needle is hidden in the threaded rod. Nail thread embroidery is simple, has a long history, and its decorative style is elegant and generous, which has been widely used in kimono in recent years. Pearl embroidery, also known as pearl embroidery, is made of hollow beads, pearl tubes, artificial gem and flashing pearls. , and embroidered on clothes, producing a jewel-like dazzling effect. Generally used for stage performance clothing, to increase the beauty and attractiveness of clothing. It is also widely used in vamps, handbags, jewelry boxes and so on.

Cross stitch, also known as cross peach blossom, is a traditional embroidery method widely circulated among the people. Its stitch method is very simple, that is, according to the warp and weft direction of the cloth, the oblique cross needles with the same size are arranged into the design requirements. Because of its stitch characteristics, cross-stitch patterns are generally simple in shape and rigorous in structure, and often present a symmetrical layout pattern style. There are also realistic patterns, mostly natural flowers and plants. Cross stitch has a strong folk decoration style.

Ribbon embroidery, also known as flat ribbon embroidery, is directly embroidered on fabric with ribbon as embroidery thread. Ribbon embroidery is a novel and unique form of kimono decoration, with soft luster, rich colors, eye-catching patterns and three-dimensional sense.

Embroidery with drawnwork is a very distinctive kind of embroidery. The method of embroidery is to draw a certain number of warp and weft yarns from the fabric according to the designed pattern, and then weave the silk left on the fabric regularly, tie it up with embroidery thread, weave through holes and combine them into various patterns. Embroidery with drawnwork has a unique net effect, which is beautiful, delicate, exquisite and decorative. Because it is difficult to penetrate, embroidery patterns are mostly simple geometric lines and squares, which are exquisitely embellished in an embroidery.

Poke embroidery, also known as Jinna, is one of the traditional embroidery forms. It is embroidered in strict accordance with the number of squares on the plaid yarn base. Poke embroidery is not only beautiful, but also can make rich changes with the different arrangement of horizontal, vertical and diagonal lines, but the empty holes between patterns must be aligned.