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As long as fabric has existed, people have been decorating it with needle and thread or yarn. This form of crafting, known as embroidery, involves stitching a variety of materials, like beads, sequins, pearls, and quills, to create eye-catching designs on clothing and home decor. Here you can see how the art has evolved through the years.

The Origins

Some form of embroidery can be traced back to the early days of man around 40,000 BC. Archaeological finds from this period revealed heavily-hand stitched fossil remains. Several early examples have been found worldwide. In China, thread embroidery dates back to 3500 BC, and actual chain-stitch worked in silk thread examples were found from the Warring States Period, which ranged from the 5th to 3rd century BC.

The Status Symbol & the Folk Art

embroidery

With the rise of the Christian church, elaborate embroidered garments, ornaments, and household objects became a way to display power and wealth. Fine needlework using gold and silver threads on rich velvet or linen grounds was in high demand across Europe during the 12th and 14th centuries. These expensive pieces were often made for ecclesiastical or secular uses, such as vestments, altar hangings, shrine covers, and other church furnishings.

During the 17th century, embroidery was used in a similar fashion in the Medieval Islamic portion of the world. Families would purchase handkerchiefs, flags, shoes, calligraphy, and many other embroidered items from craftsmen. In 18th century England, girls from wealthy families would commonly learn embroidery. This marked their transition into womanhood and conveyed their rank and social status.

While wealthy families were using embroidery as a way to highlight their status, the craft was simultaneously being used by nonprofessionals to get more use out of their materials. Many of the popular stitches — including Mountmellick, Nakshi kantha, and Sashiko — employed to this day were created out of utility to repurpose or reinforce clothes.  

The Modernization

During the Industrial Revolution, machine embroidery slowly transitioned how products were manufactured. The first machine, invented in France by Josue Heilmann in 1832, was manually operated and widely used during the late 19th and 20th centuries. It would go on to play an important role in the development of the embroidery industry in Plauen, Germany. 

When Swiss and German immigrants moved to Hudson County, NJ, they brought this and the schiffli embroidery machine, which are still used for industry scale production. Today, embroidery has become a popular pastime among men and women. Computerized machines that use digital patterns make it easy to stitch any design using a wide range of thread and fabric options.

 

When you need embroidery work done, turn to The Monogram Company based in La Crosse, WI. For 40 years, they have specialized in embroidered and screen-printed apparel. In addition to the products already available, they also offer custom embroidery on police, fire, and other public service uniforms. Call them today at (800) 784-9647 to receive a quote. Visit their website to learn more about their product options.

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