AN ANCIENT ASIAN EMBROIDERY TECHNIQUE MAKES A COMEBACK WITH A CONTEMPORARY TWIST

The word Suzani comes from the Persian word for “needle.” It refers specifically to the exquisite, brightly coloured silk thread embroidery made by women of Central Asia in the areas along the old Silk Route.

The creation of a Suzani design is deeply rooted in tradition. This intricate embroidered craftwork of flowers and foliage begins at the birth of a daughter and continues with the help of family and friends until the bride’s dowry is complete.

The ground fabric is made of four or six narrow widths loosely sewn together and is usually made of cotton or silk. An elder of the tribe or village draws her design on the fabric after which it is taken apart again. Each female member of the family embroiders a separate strip. The pieces are then reassembled as one. As a result, the patterns of a suzani can appear slightly misaligned or asymmetrical. Since the designs were worked on individually, women added a personal touch to their part of the embroidery, what made the fabric look charming and personal. This gives the Suzani its delightful flaws. It was also not uncommon for the shades of colour to vary from one part of fabric to another, because batches of naturally dyed threads come out differently.

Let’s admire the fabrics and look at how fashion and interior designers are using them. 

If you have a sofa that's getting tired, has red wine stains or has been mauled by your cat, you don't necessarily have to splurge on reupholstering it. Why not invest in a beautiful suzani to throw over its flaws?

When you do finally invest in a new sofa, reuse the suzani as a bedspread or a tablecloth.

Vogue magazine

www.yurdan.com 

Or you can look at how Oscar de la Renta using it in fashion.

Oscar de la Renta Pre-Fall 2010

Or bags from Human Wear

It is more and more evident that the fashion embroidery trend is becoming very popular. Bohemian chic, gypsy fashion, eco-fashion – these all have lots of embroidery.See how I am using it. Last year’s collection culmination is a suzani dress modelled by Polina Shepherd, a composer and singer from Brighton.