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Hand Embroidery
Hand
embroidery is the art or handicraft of decorating fabric
or other materials with designs stitched in strands of
thread or yarn using a needle. Hand embroidery may also
incorporate other materials such as metal strips,
pearls, beads, quills, and sequins. Sewing machines can
be used to create machine embroidery.
Hand embroidery, of one kind or another, is
thousands of years old. It was used in Ancient Egypt to
decorate the hems of royal robes, in tapestries in the
Middle Ages, and in ladies' samplers during the Colonial
and Victorian eras. It continues as an art form today.
Many people are familiar with counted cross stitch - a
cousin to hand embroidery - and it seems that counted
cross stitch has nearly eclipsed it. However, there are
many people who still love to work hand embroidery, and
it decorates wall hangings, pillowcases, quilts and
table runners.
Hand embroidery is a beautiful art that almost
anyone can learn. It is an art that should be preserved
and well worth learning.
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