Welcome to another episode of the craft edit, a blog series where we delve deeper into the crafts we love and know. This week's focus is embroidery, and let it be known there is a lot more to this craft than meets the eye. The ancient craft is embellished with romance, mythology and secret messages.
Embroidery has been around since the beginning of time. The exact origins of embroidery are unknown, but it is believed to have been practised in ancient Egypt and China as early as the 5th century BC. Embroidery was also popular in ancient Greece and Rome, where it was used to decorate clothing, household items, and religious objects. In Greek mythology, the goddess Athena was said to be a skilled embroiderer. She created the first tapestry, which depicted the gods and goddesses in a grand battle. The tapestry was so beautiful that the gods were said to have been moved to tears. That must have been one good dam tapestry.
During the Middle Ages, embroidery became more widespread in Europe, particularly in the form of ecclesiastical embroidery used for church vestments and altar cloths. However, it was also used for a much spicier reason back in the day. It was used to convey seductive messages and phrases. Naughty! Then again you couldn’t exactly post a fit selfie on Instagram to get the desired attention. Embroidery it is!
Embroidery also has its very own Romeo and Juliet story.
According to a Persian legend, a young woman named Farzana was known for her exquisite embroidery skills. She fell in love with a young man, but their families were enemies (bet you didn’t see that one coming), and they were forbidden to ever be together. Farzana, heartbroken, embroidered a beautiful garment for her beloved, which she secretly slipped into his pocket. A quick pointer here, not sure how a human male-sized garment would fit in someone's pocket but that's not the point so let's continue with the story. The garment was so beautiful that it inspired the young man's father to make peace with Farzana's family, and the two lovers were finally able to be together. Now that's one influential piece of embroidery!
Now that we’ve spoken about some of the history let's dive into the benefits of giving this craft a go.
Creative expression: Embroidery allows you to express your creativity and imagination through the design, colour, and stitches you choose. It's a great way to showcase your unique style and personality.
Stress relief: Embroidery can be a calming and meditative activity that helps reduce stress and anxiety. The repetitive motion of stitching can be soothing and relaxing and can help you unwind after a long day.
Improved hand-eye coordination: Embroidery requires a high level of hand-eye coordination and fine motor skills. Regular practice can help improve these skills, which can be beneficial in other areas of your life.
Sense of accomplishment: Completing an embroidery project can give you a sense of accomplishment and pride in your work. It can be a great confidence booster and improve your self-esteem.
Personalised gifts: Embroidery allows you to create personalised gifts for your loved ones. Whether it's a monogrammed towel, a custom-designed shirt, or a personalised piece of artwork, embroidered gifts show that you put thought and effort into the gift.
If you want to give embroidery a go check out our workshops here.