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Happy World Embroidery Day

Join us on a journey around the world to celebrate the makers keeping this ancient craft alive.

Karen Elting Brock Jul 30, 2026 - 3 min read

Happy World Embroidery Day Primary Image

Split-thread embroidery from Chinese master embroidery artist Tai Lao Xing in Liangsan village, Guizhou, China. All photos by Karen Elting Brock

The idea for World Embroidery Day came from a local group of the Swedish Embroiderer’s Guild and was first celebrated in Vismarlöv, Sweden, in 2011. The event has gained momentum around the world every year since, and PieceWork is pleased to do our part in promoting this joyful day.

Part of the World Embroidery Day manifesto encourages us to “use embroidery as an inspiration for people to engage in creativity that leads to a better understanding between countries and between people.” That idea is one I've carried with me across my travels to the far reaches of the globe. I also think about our similar desires to express identity with nothing more than thread and cloth, to embellish our traditions across the thresholds of time. From the earliest known stitchers, dating back to the age of Tutankhamun, to folks today visibly mending their jeans, the thread has not broken.

Enjoy just a sampling of some of my favorite world embroidery from China to Peru.

China

Wen Kui Xiang works at her couched braid embroidery at her home in Langde, Guizhou, China.Wen Kui Xiang works at her couched braid embroidery at her home in Langde, Guizhou, China. A detail of Wen Kui Xiang couched braid embroidery.A detail of Wen Kui Xiang couched braid embroidery. Tai Lao Xing displays a tour de force split-braid embroidery jacket in her village in Guizhou province, China.Tai Lao Xing displays a tour de force split-braid embroidery jacket in her village in Guizhou province, China.

Morocco

An embroidery artist stitches traditional fessi embroidery at a shop in the old medina in Fes, Morocco.An embroidery artist stitches traditional fessi embroidery at a shop in the old medina in Fes, Morocco. Another example of fessi embroidery on display in Fes, Morocco.Another example of fessi embroidery on display in Fes, Morocco.

India

An embroidery artist stitches at a cooperative in Bhuj, Gujarat, India.An embroidery artist stitches at a cooperative in Bhuj, Gujarat, India. A nearly finished sample of embroidery at a cooperative in Bhuj, Gujarat, India.A nearly finished sample of embroidery at a cooperative in Bhuj, Gujarat, India. A embroiderer stitches ancient designs on a pashmina on the outskirts of Srinigar, India.A embroiderer stitches ancient designs on a pashmina on the outskirts of Srinigar, India.

Türkiye, Peru, and Nepal

Silk embroidery from the Turkish embroidery collective Mehmet Cetinkaya Gallery on display at the International Folk Art Market.Silk embroidery from the Turkish embroidery collective Mehmet Cetinkaya Gallery on display at the International Folk Art Market. Artisans gather at the Center for Traditional Textiles of Cusco, Peru. They are easily recognized as being from the community of Chahuaytire by the embroidery on their skirts.Artisans gather at the Center for Traditional Textiles of Cusco, Peru. They are easily recognized as being from the community of Chahuaytire by the embroidery on their skirts. An embrodered banner inside a Buddhist temple in Pokhara, Nepal.An embrodered banner inside a Buddhist temple in Pokhara, Nepal.

Discover more stories of world embroidery and a variety of projects to stitch yourself in the PieceWork Library.

Happy stitching,

Karen

Karen Elting Brock is the editor of PieceWork magazine. Raised in a multi-generational household of makers, she learned to value handwork, creativity, and the wisdom of her crafting elders. While she has lived most of her life in Colorado, Karen loves to travel and has plied the back roads across six continents, studying traditional craft and traditional life.

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