World Embroidery Day Is Coming

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.

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,” which sounds a lot like the goal of PieceWork. And this is why I love them both: they’re opportunities to come together to celebrate handicraft, to learn from each other, and to share. Come to think of it, that also sounds a lot like the mission of an event I recently attended: the International Folk Art Market.

Visiting a World Market

I attended the market two weeks ago, as I have several times over the past decade. As usual, I was overwhelmed by the color, beauty, and ingenuity of the world’s artists.

I love best the opportunity to meet needleworkers I wouldn’t see otherwise. As I admired her work, Ukrainian embroidery artist Lesia Pona and I talked about the differences between her Ukrainian-style cutwork and Hardanger.

I also met Somporn Intaraprayong, a Thai textile artist who draws inspiration from Hill Tribe and other ethnic village traditions. She explained to me the similarities between boro and the unique garments she creates, giving new life to damaged antique textiles. Artist Reyna Pretzantzin Chipix, of Multicolores in Guatemala, talked about the increasing skill level of her group’s embroidery artists due to creative design skills workshops. And I may have bought a stunning chikan-style embroidered blouse from Indian artist Mamta Varma!

Detail of Lesia Pona's precise and lovely cutwork. Photo by Karen Brock Somporn Itaraprayong in her booth at the International Folk Art Market. Photo by Kathi Littwin, courtesy of the Internatinal Folk Art Market Ukrainian Embroidery artist Lesia Pona enjoys herself in Santa Fe. Photo by Kathi Littwin, courtesy of the International Folk Art Market Somporn combines myriad fabrics and stitches to make a gorgeous backpack, using traditions past for contemporary use. Photo by Karen Brock

World Embroidery

I’ve been thinking about these embroidery artists in light of World Embroidery Day, which we’ll celebrate on Wednesday, July 30. How will you celebrate? We'd love to hear what you did wherever you are in the world. Write to us here at PieceWork and share your stories and pictures. In the spirit of learning and sharing, enjoy just a few of our favorite embroidery projects and features over the years:

Silk threads split ten times create finely executed motifs in traditional Chinese embroidery, found in Summer 2020, starting on page 40.

Split-thread embroidery in colored silks. Photo by Joe Coca

Inspired by an eighteenth-century ecclesiastical garment, a Royal School of Needlwork student stitched this stunning purse. Get the pattern.

An Alms Purse to Embroider by Becky Quine. Photo by Joe Coca

Flowers and vines stitched with cotton tulle and tape laces transform a muslin square into simple elegance. Get the pattern.

Kathi Rotella’s delicate Victorian square to embroider. Photo by Joe Coca

And if you’re just getting started, this visual primer of embroidery stitches is a terrific guide.

May our stitching lead to peace and understanding,

Karen Brock is the editor of PieceWork.