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E is for Embroidery

Although I can barely thread a needle, there are several people all over the world who turn to embroidery as a hobby that gives them peace and also some income. Many run their businesses on Facebook pages using Facebook Marketplace or on Etsy. My mom has always been good at embroidery and so has my maternal grandma. Some people just seem to have a knack for it and pick it up easily.

My mom considers embroidery a stress-buster. She says she always feels good after doing embroidery since she feels creative and fulfilled. I found that it added to my stress. We had SUPW as a subject in one of the schools I attended, but since I was so bad at it, I dreaded it. My mom says every country has different types of embroidery, and, in India, every state has some speciality. In Bengal, they specialize in Kantha stitch. My mom has a lovely Kantha work saree. Kashmiri embroidery is colourful and elegant. Hand embroidery is considered more valuable than machine embroidery. My mom has done stem stitch, blanket stitch, chain stitch, satin stitch, lazy daisy, bullion stitch, and many others. Embroidery can be done all over the fabric or in just one place, like one little rose or flower. Cross-stitch/tapestry is another type of embroidery. It needs a special type of cloth. My mom has done several tapestries of Anchor Quick Stitch Kit. She says one needs a lot of patience and time to do it. I had started one such kit in 2014, which is still unfinished. In Ooty, they make embroidered bedspreads. I bought an embroidered bedspread from Benares in 2014. I simply loved it. My mom has bought several cut work bedspreads from Kolkata. Bangkok is famous for its embroidered cutwork shirts. My mom remembers the embroidered cushion covers she saw in Belgium when we were on our  Europe trip. Some Indians spend exorbitant amounts for their embroidered lehengas/Ghaghra cholis, especially for their weddings.







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  1. UnknownApril 6, 2020 at 11:39 AM

    Hi Aishwarya, I love embroidery of all kinds. The mention about Anchor Quick stitch kit brought back so many memories. I guess I will restart :)

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    Replies
    1. MyMewseApril 6, 2020 at 8:41 PM

      Yes, with the lockdown in progress in most parts of the world, it is good to turn to hobbies as a stress buster:)

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