Hand Embroidery - Ahmedabad
Hand embroidery is one of the well-known Handicraft of Gujarat. Hand embroidery is basically embellishing the cloth with colorful threads and beautiful beads. It is an art that is made with help of needles and thread creating beautiful patterns of design on the fabric. The embroidery designs are delicate and influenced by Mughal 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 handwork is done carefully using colored threads. Each embroidery styles and motifs depend on the artisan's 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's origin lies in the mocha community tradition of embellishing leather footwear with intricate patterns executed in chain stitch. 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 is mainly done by women.
