The History of Embroidery Art

Embroidery is one of the earliest forms of decoration in the world, stretching back 30,000 years to the days of Cro-Magnon man. The art originated in the stitches used to make clothing from animal skins, which clothes makers quickly realized could also be used for decoration. When you wear embroidery art, you’re continuing one of humanity’s oldest traditions. 

What is embroidery?

Embroidery describes the art of sewing thread or yarn onto fabric with a needle. Embroidery stitches allow the artist to add other materials: beads, quills, sequins, and pearls have all been used to add interest and appeal to embroidery. Today, custom embroidered patches are often used to customize hats, caps, jackets, work shirts, coats, and other items, often with the intent of improving corporate brand awareness. 

The history of embroidery art

No one knows exactly when the first-hand embroidery was created, but the earliest evidence of the art has been found in the Middle East and Asia dating back to the last ice age. Chances are high that embroidery stitches are much older, as almost every culture on the planet has its own traditional embroidery art. Embroidery is mentioned in the Bible and Greek mythology, and pieces of intricate embroidery art over 4,500 years old have been found in China. 

Native Americans have their own traditional hand embroidery techniques, which incorporate porcupine quills and beads into artwork. In South America, the Kuna people of Panama embroider mola garments with patterns inspired by traditional body painting. 

During the middle ages, European embroidery was associated with wealth and power. An intricate form of English embroidery art, Opus Anglicanun, was used to create elaborate priestly vestments. Nobles workers embroidered clothes as a sign of their social status, and laws even attempted to forbid people in lower social classes from wearing embroidery. 

In the 19th century, embroidery manufacturing became popular, and the art was suddenly available to everyone. In 1828, Josué Heilmann invented a hand embroidery machine, and mass-production of embroidery art became possible. 

Today, embroidery is as popular as ever, with machine-produced embroidery capable of adding embroidery to all manner of fabrics. Despite this, hand embroidery remains popular, especially when customers want unique or high-quality embroidered garments. 

Types of embroidery

• Counted Embroidery: The embroiderer counts threads in every stitch, creating symmetrical embroidery stitches. Cross stitch and blackwork stitch are examples of counted embroidery techniques.
•  Outline Embroidery:The basic design is outlined with embroidery stitches such as backstitch, stem stitch, or chain stitch. The interior of the design may be left blank or filled in with additional embroidery stitches. 
• Whitework embroidery: Also known as French Laid Work, whitework embroidery uses white floss to create embroidery art on white fabric. An alternative, candlewicking embroidery, uses unbleached cotton thread on unbleached muslin.
• Patchwork Embroidery: Usually employed to create repeating patterns, patchwork embroidery sews smaller pieces of fabric together to create a larger design. 
• Shadow Work Embroidery: Ideal for sheer and semi-sheer fabrics, shadow work, uses a herringbone stitch to create designs. 

Modern embroidery is typically created by hand or using sewing machines. The technique is both reliable and cost-efficient and produces exceptional results that stand out from screen printed or digitally printed designs. 

What is 3D embroidery?

3D embroidery is a commercial alternative to hand embroidery. An image, typically a logo or emblem, is converted into a computer file. Once logo digitizing is complete, the file is sent to an embroidery machine, which stitches the design onto the garment. 3D embroidery first fixes a foam subsurface to the garment, and the threads are embroidered into the foam to create a raised logo that gives the design added visibility.

What to do with embroidery patches?

Custom embroidered patches are a great way to add interest to branded garments. Add embroidery art to a piece of outerwear, and you have a high-quality gift for a client or partner. Embroidered patches give your team’s work uniform a professional touch, and you can personalize work shirts even further by embroidering the employee’s name under your logo. Add 3D embroidery to trucker hats for large promotional giveaways, or customize tote bags, backpacks, or gym bags as rewards for hard-working employees or loyal customers.