Hand embroidery is one of the well-known Handicraft of Gujarat. Hand embroidery is basically embellishing on the cloth with colorful threads and beautiful beads. It is an art which is made with help of needle and thread creating beautiful patterns of design on the fabric. The embroidery designs are delicate and influenced by Moghul designs. The designs and motifs are immensely illustrated by using subtle shades of colors.
The embroidery was traditionally made on household objects such as toran and chakla and on the long skirts worn by the women of the region. The hand work is done carefully using colored threads. Each embroidery styles, motifs depend on the artisan creativity. The colorful threads and beading work gives an aesthetic look to the cloth.
Aari Embroidery is a minute chain stitch done by a hook which is an adaptation of the cobbler's awl. It is also one of the basic sources of income for many communities in Gujarat. The technique origin lies in the mocha community tradition of embellishing leather footwear with intricate patterns executed in chain stich. Although today the embroidery is chiefly done on textiles. While male artisans undertake the stitching of the objects, the women embroidered them with a variety of floral forms accompanied by animal and human figures. The beautifully hand stitched fabric design are mainly done by women.
