Embroidery Schools Of Learning - Certification Courses!

Embroidery Schools Of Learning - Certification Courses!

0 Comments Published March 21st, 2009 in Hand Embroidery Designs

If you needed to attend a school or college of embroidery where would you go? Apart from the internet, are there schools which could teach you in the classroom fashion - the beautiful world of embroidery. In this article, we explore some of the possibilities of getting certifications in embroidery, needlework and apparel designing.

One of them is the Netaji Subhash Open University at Woodburn, Kolkata (established in 1997) where you could get enrolled for Certificate in Embroidery and Needlework followed by an Advanced certificate in fashion, embroidery and textile designing.

Far down in New Zealand, the Wanaka school (established in 1984) by Gay Eaton of Dunedin is a long serving member and a recipient of a New Zealand Order of Merit for her contribution to embroidery. Every year, about 370 women travel from around New Zealand to attend the school and learn different aspects of needlework and embroidery skills.

Mridula’s school of embroidery based at Chennai covers both Eastern and Western aspects of embroidery. Mridula Nagarajan - Founder of the School brings more than forty years of rich experience teaching and researching across the gamut of the Indian and International embroidery. The school Indian embroidery courses include Kantha from Bengal, Kasuthi from Karnataka, Kutch from Gujarat, Mirrorwork (Gujarat and Rajasthan), Phulkari from Punjab, Chikankari from Uttar Pradesh, Toda from Tamil Nadu, Kashmiri from Kashmir.(taught through regular school and correspondence courses). European embroidery courses include Spanish Blackwork, Cross stitch & Assisi, Lagartera, Bargello, Norweave and Kelim. (taught as regular courses). The school also has a comprehensive course on Aari & Zadosi (Tambour) Embroidery with a variety of applications taught. Dress making courses through which students can master pattern making and tailoring of dresses is also part of the regular curriculum.

The regular diploma certificate courses consists of the following groups.

Group I : Freestyle embroidery and Indian embroidery.

Group II : Counted Thread embroidery and European embroidery.

Embroidered Fabrics

Embroidered Fabrics

The history of embellishing fabrics is almost as old as fabrics themselves. Men folk have always exercised innovation to beautify the textiles used for various purposes turning this practice into a full-fledged industry today.

Embroidery forms one of the most popular medium of decorating textiles. It primarily involves decorative needlework done with colorful threads to adorn any type of fabric. Embroidery portrays representation of any form, figure and design pattern using threads in a most creative manner. The fabrics embellished with embroidery can be used for a variety of applications such as:

• Bed spreads and linens
• Cushion covers
• Table linens
• Kitchen linens
• Upholstery
• Tapestry
• Apparels and accessories
• Bags
• Quilts

The designs employed by these products are meticulously worked upon by skilled craftsman to ensure that they match the functional utility and varying tastes of people. Different styles of embroideries have been exploited to suit different fabrics such as:

• Zardozi and bidri on silks, satins and crepes.
• Kantha and kathi on cottons and jute.
• Kashmiri embroidery or kashida on wool.
• Chikankari on fine linens and voil.
• Phulkari on Georggets, chiffon and other synthetic materials.
• Indian embroidered fabrics have preserved its ethnic sanctity in a most unique way. The reason its demand has caught rage in both Indian as well as international markets.

Embroidered Salwar Suits

Embroidered Salwar Suits

Salwar Suits or salwar kameez is a typical Indian ensemble for women with grace and elegance unbound. "Salwar" is a loose pajama like lower that has a loose fit which is tied to the waist with a cord. "Kameez" stands for a kurta like ensemble that is worn through the upper part of the body. The elegance of kurta lies in the way it flaunts the cuts, the material it is made up of and the kind of embroidery it employs.

Embroidered Salwar Kameez make for impeccable clothings for all occasions right form everyday use to formal events. The kind of fabrics used for making embroidered salwar kameez are as follows:

• Silk
• Chiffon and Georgette
• Handloom fabrics
• Cotton
• Lizy-bizy
• Crepe

A host of embroidry styles and embellishments are employed to adorn these apparels. A few common types include:

• Kantha Embroidery
• Banjara Embroidery
• Banni Embroidery
• Chinkankari
• Zardozi Embroidery
• Mirror Embroidery

The popularity of embroidered Salwar Kameez is taking great strides not only in the Indian but global markets as well. They call for high export potential and are already being exported in many countries of America and Europe.

Embroidered Kurta

Embroidered Kurta

Kurta is a loose ethnic ensemble worn through the upper part of the body.It has a closed neck and length up to the knees. Although,it is precisely worn by men, they have become highly popular among women folk as well. Embroidery on kurtas is basically done around the four-button front, on side panels and pockets or cuff slits. Some common types of embroidery patterns done on it are as follows:

• Floral : This basically employs satin stitches with colorful cotton or silk threads.
• Kashmiri: Kashmiri embroidery employs the fine patterns in concentric layers.
• Phulkari : This is the traditional art, native of Punjab and beautifully displays floral motifs.
• Chikankari : Chikankari form the rich art of Lucknow, which involves the use of a white or a colorless thread to form a fine mesh through shadow work.

Embroidered kurtas make for perfect ensembles for all kinds of occasions be it for casual, day to day or a party or a festival. Fashion designers have further added their innovative instinct to bring about the best collection of kurtas that encompasses both traditional as well as modern styles. The very reason they have become so popular among men folk all over the world

Embroidered Jeans

Embroidered Jeans

Jeans or denim wear, as it is popularly known, form the most popular category of clothing line worn by people by all ages, particularly the youth. With new designers trying their hand at styling apparels, jeans are ensembles which have been exploited to the helm to produce an exquisite range of items.

Embroidery on these apparels have further accentuated the appearance and added a dynamic flair to them. They employ a host of embroidery styles coupled with the use of fascinating embellishments such as:

• Multicolored logo with frayed edges
• Embroidered floral patterns
• Applique and patch work
• Laces
• Crochets
• Beads and sequins
• Chain, buttonhole and lattice stitches
• Bokhara Couching

The patterns of embroidery are also inspired by traditional motifs or vintage paintings. Embroideries done on jeans involve the use of state-of-the-art technology and software so as to deliver high precision, more colors with focus on intricate details and lining. These embellished jeans have called for great demand on the international front as well and enjoy a major share of exports among other garments.

Embroidered T-Shirts

Embroidered T-Shirts

Embroidered t-shirts today, find a place in the wardrobes of both men as well as women folk. Best quality fabrics, unique designs and fine finishes is what lends these apparels their unique beauty and grace. T-shirts voice the energy of the youth and stand for radiance and vivacity. Embroidery on these items have further accentuated the demand for these items in both domestic as well international markets.The patterns and designs employed on these garments are varied. A few among them include:

• Floral Motifs
• Abstract Motifs
• Borders
• Braids
• Patchwork Embroidery
• Applique Work

Besides, representation of traditional miniature paintings with embellishments such as sequins and beads are also catching up great rage among people worldwide. The designs employed are first worked upon by expert technicians that ensure that each piece is unique in itself and lines perfection. With fashion industry fast spreading its wings world wide, the demand for these items is on a constant rise.

Embroidered Shirts

Embroidered Shirts

Embroidery stands as one of the most alluring medium of adorning a fabric. Each of these items carry a unique aesthetic appeal that have enjoyed the attention and appreciation of people of all ages.

Most of the embroidered tops are worked upon manually by master craftsmen that ingenuously incorporate new design patterns that line highest degree of perfection and precision that cannot be achieved by automation and duplicated by machines. It characterizes the use of a comprehensive range of high quality textiles such as:

• Crepe
• Silk ( Raw, Khadi, Handloom and tussar)
• Chiffon
• Georgette
• Cottons, Linen, Muslin
• Brocade

The embroidery is either arranged on the chest panel, on the sleeves, or in the rectangular panel above the hem line of the top or a shirt. Embroidery can also be done on printed fabrics. Different types of embroideries coupled with myriad embellishments monopolize the beauty of these fabrics . They include:

• Gold zari work
• Colored thread / gold coin yolks
• Antique sequins work
• Kundan and bead work
• Resham Kashmiri embroidery

The popularity of these items has scaled great heights in both national as well as international fore fronts and consequently calls for high export potential.