KUTCH AND KATHIAWAR EMBROIDERY

Introduction
In Gujarat, embroidery seems to have spread to all aspects of life. Kutch in northwestern Gujarat and Saurashtra in western Gujarat has the finest and richest embroidey in a variety of styles.
Places
Bhuj, Mandavi, Bhavnagar, Jamnagar.
Threads and Colors
Cotton and untwisted silk in colors red, green, magenta, white, orange, yellow, often used.Other colors being royal blue, parrot green, purple, maroon, brown, violet, black, sky blue, pink and yelloe are rarely used.
Fabric
Oroginally silk and occassionly satinfabric was used. As silk is expensive, fabrics such as casement, poplin, khadi are used. These fabrics are brought from Bombay, Ahmedabad, Surat and Porbander in colors of red, maroon, yellow, green, orange, navy blue, brown, magenta and black. Today the colors included are sky blue, parrot green, light yellow, white, violet, pink, turquoise, blue and cream.
Stitch
The stitches used are chain, herringbone, mirrors (abhla), cross stitch, satin, running stitch, appliqué work, and moti bharat (bead work).

GOLD AND SILVER EMBROIDERY

Introduction
Gold and Silver embroidery is the earliest among the outstanding and famous Indian Embroidery. It was practiced almost all over the country. Each place was famous for it own style of Gold and Silver embroidery.
Places
Metal embroidery is practiced nearly all over India. Kashmir, Delhi, Agra and Lucknow and Bareilly in Uttar Pradesh, Ajmer in Rajasthan, Bhopal in Madhya Pradesh, Ahmedabad, Bombay, Hydrabad in Andhra Pradesh, Madras and a host of other lesser known places like Vadodara, Dahod, Dholka, Dabhoi, Bharuch, Godra in Gujarat.
Threads
A vast variety of embroidery materials exists today. The pure Gold and Silver threads have been substituted with imitation, that is copper, steel. Powder coated, plastic and silk thread.
Stitches
Innumerable varieties of stitches are employed. This work is like an ocean which is vast and deep. It is difficult for an individual to learn all. The stitches used are basic. They are satin, stem running, couching, herring bone, bullion knot, French knot, long and short and cross stitch.
Fabric
Velvet and satin lined with buckram was used for the heavier kind of work, while chiffon, net and other lightweight materials were used for the lighter variety of work.

KASHIDA EMBROIDERY

Introduction
Kashmir means ‘Rock through’in regional language, where ‘KAS’ is water channel and ‘MIR’ I smountain.Kashmir is considered as a paradise of earth. Kashmir is famous for various arts, specifically, for its beautifully embroidered and woven shawls.
Places
Kashmir, Amritsar
Colors
Mostly used were crimson red, scarlet red, blue, yellow, green, purple,black, brown and white.
Threads
Fine quality woollen yarn, rich lustrous silk and cotton thread also, was used in bright colors.
Stitches
The stitches employed are simple. The dominant stitches are satin, stem, chain, long and short stitches, with the darning, button-hole and herring-bone stitches occasionally used.
Fabrics
Various types of un-dyed wool, Silk, cotton and linen were used. Usually, it was a cream background but according to the demand, mill made dyed fabric in dark colors like black, navy blue, brown maroon and bottle green were also used.