Kashmiri Embroidery Patterns:

Embroidery work of Kashmir is named “Kashida” and we can see the beauty of its natural surroundings in it. The novel ness of Kashmiri embroidery is that the whole pattern is created using one or two embroidery stitch styles. The base cloth which is used in Kashmiri embroidery is usually cotton or wool. And the colors which are used in Kashmiri embroidery are of lighter shades. Special care is taken to ensure that the color shades blend into the background. One of the most famous patterns which are followed in Kashmiri embroidery is of single stitch; famous names of styles of Kashmiri embroidery are Sozni embroidery, papier-mache embroidery, and Ari or hook embroidery. The second pattern which is followed in Kashmiri embroidery is of Chain stitch.. A hook is used instead of a needle because it covers more area than a needle and wool, cotton or silk thread is used. Embroidery is done on a piece of plain white cloth and small stitches are used to create figures and motifs in bright colors. The background is also made up of a series of embroidered coin shaped circles, which add beauty in the entire structure of the work. Chain stitch is used to create chain stitch rugs.

Shawls from Kashmir are popular because of the embroidery done on them. The craftsmen of Kashmir, to beautify shawls use different stitches. Sozni or fine needlework is generally done on the side of the shawls. The value of the shawl is determined by the amount and quality of the embroidery. The traditional Kashmiri dress; Phiran is also endowed with rich embroidery. The finest embroidery from Kashmir can be found on Pashmina shawls. Sometimes the entire surface of these shawls is covered with fine embroidery.

Multani Embroidery Patterns:

It is said about multan that when Adam was turned out of the garden of Eden, Multan is the place where Satan landed. But millions of Pakistanis believes that it is a city of saints and mysticism. It is claimed that Rig Veda was written in Multan its architects formulate the perfect arch in buildings and wrote the first book on architecture. Multan remained culturally more under the rule of Arabs therefore we findarbic tradition in its Handicrafts, architecture and embroidery works. Multani khussa is also very famous because of the special thread and beads work done on it. khussa shoes are made with the finest quality soft and pure cow leather. Khussa shoes are traditional footwear and are hand made with colorful and sophisticated embroidery on them. Multan is also famous for its thread and 'Aar' work costumes for ladies embroidered cloths cholas or kurtas "for men".

Tribal areas embroidery patterns:

Tribal area of Pakistan is renowned for embroidery because of its spectacular designs patterned on the magical colors of vegetable-dyed fabric. The unique use of needle and thread tells many a story of a rich and diverse cultural heritage. The use of patchwork is elaborately decorated with sparkling chain-stitched metallic thread, spectacular colorful mirror-encrusted or sheesha embroidery, shining sequins, beads and even small shells. This ancient pattern of embroidery is survived up till now because of the custom of giving embroidered articles as dowries to brides. The techniques of producing a variety of rich embroidery are handed over from a mother to a daughter, from generation to generation.

Sindhi Embroidery Patterns

Sindhi embroidery pattern was oriented form Thar-Parkar and its neighboring districts. Designs used in Sindhi embroidery are mostly abstract and formalized representations of flowers and foliage, worked in primary colors using mainly satin stitch. The most creative practitioners of this style are the women of the Meghwal (or Meghwar), leather workers by profession and caste, who are centered on the Thar-Parkar district of Sindh. Their most delightful work embellishes marriage cholis, purses and `bukhanis'. Their work is of two types either profusely embroidered floral and disguised bird designs, mostly on a red ground incremented with mirrors and beaded and metal thread work on a black background.

Metallic Embroidery Threads

It is also know as “Tillah” The quality of metallic thread ranges from very high to very low. A good metallic thread does not require a lubricant, a superior quality metallic thread had the flowing elements it contains Nylon core, which results in enhancing strength and resists knot as compare to polyester and rayon cores. Secondly it has Rice paper construction that results in cohesiveness and increases its softness and smoothness, reduce its inflexible feel. It also reduces tangling. Other wise the cone had to be dipped in silicon gel so that it might not got twisted but is not the permanent solution and break the needle and cause damage to the machinery so that is why low quality thread is mostly used in hand embroidery

History of Embroidery and Advancement

Embroidery and other fiber, needlework arts are believed to originate in the Orient and Middle East. It was all started when the man kind found that the stitches used to join animal skins together so that it could also be used for decoration. With the passage of time and technological improvements this tradition moved to the different parts of the world and people started using metal threads, beads and different colors to make unique work of art. Now various parts of the world are famous for different types of embroidery patterns and techniques just like Chinese are well known for their silk threaded, Pearls and stones embroidery, Russians use beads, Greece are famous for sculptures, paintings and Europeans are famous for use of beads and embroidery on layette baskets, coat dress, home furnishings and many other items. Thus thread and bead embroidery can be found on ornamental wear and home furnishings around the world. Thread embroidery include hundreds of stitches, now a days complex thread embroidery patterns, fancy metallic threads and beads can be applied using sewing machines in addition to hand stitching...still lots of improvemnts are coming by each passing day and that vast field demands more and more.

Rayon Embroidery Threads:

Cotton Embroidery Threads

It is the only natural fiber thread which is made for the embroidery. It has many forms and each form is used to get different results Cotton embroidery thread is very often ignored by automatic embroidery machine users. Because of its linty problem so to over come this issue cotton thread had to be passed through following processes. First process is called “Mercerized” in this process the thread is treated in a solution, causing the fibers to swell. This allows the dye to better penetrate the fibers and increases the sheen of the thread. It also increases the strength of the thread. Second is “Gassed” in gassing the thread is passed through a flame at high speed to reduce the fuzz. Third is “Glazed” in it the thread is treated with wax or other chemicals and then polished to create a higher shine. Although the result is a glossy, hard finish which protects the thread, the glaze does rub off and can gum up the needle and machine. fourth is “Cotton-wrapped poly” in this process cotton is mixed with the polyester cotton-wrapped poly threads are approximately two-thirds poly and one-third cotton and will therefore had the hybrid characteristics of polyester and cotton. But the fact is that it performs superbly in embroidery machines and has a lovely, soft sheen. And in addition to that it is available in many weights.

Polyester & Nylon Embroidery Threads

Polyester Nylon embroidery thread is the popular and economical choice. It is available in a wide assortment of colors; it is direct substitute of rayon thread because output result results are nearly similar to that of rayon. The benefit of polyester is that it won't shrink, fade, or bleed. Like rayon thread, polyester and Nylon threads are strong and won't easily break or fray. Polyester Thread is unnaturally produced from polymer resins. It can be made with a dull finish to look like cotton, with a medium sheen, or high sheen finish to look like rayon or silk. Trilobal poly is higher quality polyester with sheen equal to rayon and is fur free. Due to its strength and color fastness polyester is becoming one of the most popular embroidery threads available these days next to rayon thread and the reason why it is the second option of the embroider it has lower temperature tolerance and more elastic then the rayon. The nylon advantage which nylon thread has its strength that it wont easily break with hands but it has many disadvantages that are its color becomes pale, breaks while laundry and it has very low temperature resistant. Because of this it is only used as the texture blurry thread.

Rayon Embroidery Threads

Rayon is the one of the preferential thread among professional embroiderers. It is a soft thread, available in great colors, and suitable for all forms of machine embroidery. Rayon thread holds up well with high-speed stitching without breaking or fraying and it also consistently performs well. It is easily available and in a wide range of solid and variegated colors, as well as in a "twist" thread composed of two or more solid colors twisted together to form a single strand. They are available in three categories light, standard and thicker. The reason why embroiders prefer rayon thread are the following, It has the high shine high sheen and because of this the embroidery done by this thread looks prominent upon the base even though it is softer. The softness of rayon thread is its advantage when it is used for hand embroidery but when it is used in high speed machinery and it is compared with the polyesters then it is concluded that it is less durable and the its coloring processing consumer allot of time then the polyester but its one characteristics which makes it preferable choice is that it is relatively high heat resistant then the polyester.