Modern embroidery designs

Embroidery

Embroidery as an art form constitutes the decorating of materials such as fabric through a process using a needle and thread or yarn. Other adornments can be included in embroidery in order to further develop the aesthetic design and material feel of the completed works, these can include, beads, sequins, pearls, glass and a whole host of other materials.

The art of embroidery has dated back throughout history, with notable works of embroidery prominent throughout disparate geographical and cultural locations. Embroidery can be found throughout the ages from countries like Ancient Egypt, Palestine, India, China, Persia and England to name but a few. Famous works of embroidery include the luxurious 231 foot Bayeux Tapestry which depicts scenes and battles from the 1066 Battle of Hastings, where the Norman army famously conquered the English army, culminating in the killing of Harold II purportedly with an arrow through his eye.

During the industrial revolution the mechanisation of embroidery took a dramatic advancement with inventions such as that of John Kay’s 1733 invention the ‘Flying Shuttle’. This revolution in embroidery led to the eventual development of sewing machines in the 1860s and manual hand looms in the 1870s.

Contemporary embroidery has moved on dramatically since its formative years. The emergence of machine embroidery using digitised patterns created using embroidery software has led to the possibility of a huge mass market in embroidery, typified by the prevalence of embroidered logos and monograms on uniforms and clothing. Nowadays computerised designs have enabled machines to stitch mass produced bespoke embroidery designs on numerous different fabrics.

Modern embroidery has been adopted by a whole host of organisations and individuals alike, with embroidered designs being incorporated in a whole host of products, such as, t shirts, shirts, jackets, presents, household linen, tablecloths and even some designer wallpaper!

Today an embroidery company must keep up to date with all the latest technologies in order to offer a complete embroidery service. There are many embroidery companies out there that offer varying levels of service, it is important when choosing an embroidery company that they are already established and have experience dealing with a variety of fabrics and types of clothing.

Authors’ Biog

Shirley Poelman is the owner of Creative Embroidery a long established embroidery company based in Mount Wellington, Auckland, New Zealand. Creative embroidery offer a whole host of embroidery services including machine embroidery, embroidered logos and monograms onto shirts, socks, trousers, jackets and all apparel, caps ,visors, beanies, bags, linen, towels & badges.