Chinese Braid Embroidery

Braid embroidery is just one of the many wonderful textile traditions found in China. This book is intended as a snapshot of the technique, providing insights into its history and development. It considers materials and equipment, ranging from the made-for-purpose to household alternatives.

This volume offers secrets of the ancient craft of Chinese embroidery, with step-by-step line drawings, and photography of finished antique and modern pieces. It covers: history of Chinese embroidery; special equipment; fabrics; and stitches.

Embroidery is one of the most typical traditional crafts in China, and has been practiced for two to three thousand years— an art form that has survived through time. This book combines the most classic techniques of Chinese embroidery with modern aesthetics to offer a new creative experience.A comprehensive guide to embroidery, the book is illustrated with detailed text, close-up photographs and computer graphics, and step-by-step explanations of the process of embroidery. This book will help you to:• Understand the unique aesthetic designs and color schemes that have emerged from traditional Chinese embroidery;• Fully master the tools, materials, and basic techniques used in embroidery;• Learn nearly 20 classic Chinese embroidery techniques, and use each one to embroider a beautiful small-sized piece or pattern;• Produce around 10 pieces, including butterflies, flowers, and kingfishers, integrating a variety of techniques;• Gain new inspiration and stimulate your imagination and creativity for new projects.• Find transfer patterns for each piece in the appendix for you to print out and use.Containing all the knowledge beginners need to take up the craft, the book also allows experienced embroiderers to explore their potential. These beautiful patterns can be used in every aspect of your life. Treat the fabric as a canvas and the needle as the brush to bring your ideal world to life with embroidery!

Needlework serves functional purposes, such as providing warmth, but has also communicated individual and social identity, spiritual beliefs, and aesthetic ideals throughout time and geography. Needlework traditions are often associated with rituals and celebrations of life events. Often-overlooked by historians, practicing needlework and creating needlework objects provides insights to the history of everyday life. Needlework techniques traveled with merchants and explorers, creating a legacy of cross-cultural exchange. Some techniques are virtually universal and others are limited to a small geographical area. Settlers brought traditions which were sometimes re-invented as indigenous arts. This volume of approximately 75 entries is a comprehensive resource on techniques and cultural traditions for students, information professionals, and collectors.

Goldwork embroidery is a traditional Chinese embroidery technique that was originally used in the court or palaces and was exclusive to nobility in ancient times. Similar embroidery techniques were used in Central Asia and Europe in ancient times as well. Today, this sort of technique, characterized by its diversity of thread textures, variety of techniques, unique three-dimensional shape, and ability to blend other embroidery styles, is familiar to and admired by embroidery enthusiasts all over the world.Through her practice in embroidery over the past two decades, Chen Daiyu has simultaneously studied both Chinese and European embroidery. Her work is unique in that it combines the beauty of both forms, making it uniquely original. In this book, she draws inspiration from elements of traditional Chinese painting, combining traditional Chinese silk embroidery with European goldwork embroidery to create stunning, elegant works with a unique Chinese aesthetic appeal. This volume combines images and text, taking the reader systematically through the world of goldwork embroidery with a step-by-step guide. Through this book, you will:•Move from the basics to a comprehensive understanding of Chinese goldwork and the history, tools, materials, and basic techniques of goldwork embroidery.•Move from an elementary to an advanced level by completing goldwork embroideries of sixteen elements, including flowers, birds, insects, and fruit, each rich in Chinese cultural connotations.•Combine various elements into four complete Chinese embroidery paintings to form exquisite, practical decorations to beautify your life.•Appreciate the collision and fusion of the soft luster of Chinese silk embroidery and the retro beauty of European goldwork embroidery and gain new creative inspiration.•Get started with the aid of carefully prepared draft templets, even if you have no foundation at all.

This definitive history, design & technique sourcebook for Chinese embroidery concentrates on one style -- the Imperial style of embroidery -- which is found mainly on textiles of the Qing Dynasty (1644-1911). This book provides an informative & practical approach to some of the popular techniques. The stitches used have been translated, where possible, to their appropriate equivalents in the Western dictionary of embroidery stitches, & some of their Chinese lang. equivalents have been noted. Includes: A historical overview of the rich tradition of Chinese embroidery; Specialist stitch techniques such as block shading, scale carving & the Pekin knot; 16 design sheets with templates; & 100+ color photos & over 150 clear line drawings.

Learn about the history and culture surrounding Chinese embroidery and learn to embroider yourself with this easy-to-follow and beautifully illustrated guide. Embroidery in China is a true art form, one that has been practiced for over 2,000 years. In Chinese Embroidery, you'll discover everything from the history of the art to the different schools in different ages and their styles to knowledge about selection, collection and preservation of embroidered articles. Chinese Embroidery contains over 200 full-color photos of works and step-by-step guides—all of which help to explain and analyze over twenty kinds of needlework and teach comprehensive application of these basic skills. When you reach the end of this book, you'll have learned about twenty different embroidered pieces for daily use and display purposes. Learn about the pattern-oriented art and traditional culture of China at the same time as you master the embroidery craftsmanship unique to China. Stimulate your imagination and creativity as you experience the joy of embroidery with Chinese Embroidery.