Silk embroidery art of Chinese craftsmen (photo)

July 11, 2017 handmadebase

Content

The most common types of silk embroidery
How to embroider a silk thread
Work of professionals
Helpful Tips
Video: Chinese silk embroidery

Every day Chinese silk embroideryis becoming more and more popular and the demand for it is increasing. Pictures embroidered with this unique technique amaze the imagination with their gentle, tremulous motifs and amazing, one might even say magical play of light and shadow.
First of all, I would like to note thatChinese silk embroidery is a rather complex and painstaking work. As a rule, it can take an experienced craftswoman from 3 to 6 months to complete one picture, and in some cases the work can stretch out for a whole year.
In addition, silk threads are considered quitefastidious material and require a particularly reverent attitude. Real silk threads are used for embroidery only by hand, as they can fray a lot when used on a machine.

The most common types of silk embroidery

The most common are 4 types of embroidery with silk threads. They differ from each other by plots, technique of execution and even color scale:

The most refined and elegant is considered embroideryUnder the name "Su". Its characteristic feature is that the thread used for embroidery is divided into several very thin parts. In addition, this kind of embroidery is performed exclusively dense, smooth and neat stitches. To create a picture with this technique, you will need to use a laconic and fairly smooth color palette;

In the pictures embroidered with the help of the "Xiang" technique more oftenAll depicts various landscapes, flowers, animals or birds. During such embroidery, threads of completely different color are mixed together and the stitches are laid with some carelessness;

The paintings embroidered with the help of "Yue" amazeImagination with its bright saturated colors, as well as the presence of silver and gold elements. On such canvases, as a rule, dragons or phoenix birds are depicted. Stitches in such embroidery must be very precise, smooth and smooth;

A distinctive feature of the embroidery "Shu" isThe fact that it uses a very diverse and can even say specific stitches. Pictures using this technique are embroidered on a soft satin fabric, using threads that are as close to color as possible to the base.

Embroidery "Su"
Embroidery "Xiang"
Embroidery "Yue"
Embroidery "Shu"

How to embroider a silk thread

Before you start embroidering the selectedyou will have to prepare a comfortable work place for yourself first. It is also necessary to check in advance how well the threads you have purchased are dyed.
To do this you will need to fold the silkthread and wet it with water. Once you have done this, you will need to place the wet thread on a piece of white fabric and iron it with a well-heated iron. If the silk thread starts to shed, you will notice it right away.
Here is a short list of materials you will need for embroidering pictures with silk threads:

Subframe, which should exceed the size of your picture by about 4 cm;
silk fabric;
A special piece of cardboard or a ready-made set for embroidery;
Pencil or chalk;
Silk threads of different colors;
Short needles (2.5 cm) with small ears.

Having prepared everything you need to create a real masterpiece, you can safely embark on the work itself:

Secure the fabric to a frame or stretch it overhoops. It is best if the silk you choose is plain and natural. Such material is quite durable and it practically does not deform, besides, it shines a little. Remember that Chinese satin stitch is ideal for blue, white or red silk. But if your embroidery is done in a modern style, then you should give preference to cream or golden silk;

Next you will need to attach to the silk fabricCardboard blank and gently traverse it with chalk or pencil. Thus, you define a "field" for future silk embroidery. For beginners, of course, it will be better to buy ready-made sets for silk embroidery, where the cloth itself is already directly attached;

Professionals in their field usually plan onIn this "field" with the help of dots, not the drawing itself, but only some of its individual details. Beginner needlewomen who have decided to master the technique of silk embroidery should schematically display their entire drawing, as this will significantly facilitate their work;

After you have sketched out the selectedDrawing you can proceed directly to the very embroidery. To begin with, you need to fix the thread itself with small, neat stitches;

Then you will need to, using a different colorThreads sew all the details of the chosen pattern. You can say that you will have to, as it were, "shade" them. During the embroidery, be extremely careful and careful, as any wrong stitch will leave an ugly and also very noticeable hole on the silk;

Having done this, you will have to once again flash the edges of the details with colored threads. In this case, your stitches should not exceed 1-2 mm. Thanks to such a small trick, embroidery will seem more voluminous;

When your silk embroidery is clickedfinished, you will need to cut it out. Please note that you will need to leave small allowances so that you can later make the covering;

At this stage, the embroidery should be glued to the previously prepared base. In order to do this you will need any quick-drying transparent glue;

Then cut out from some dense fabric a piece of the same size as your embroidery and glue it on the back of the picture. This will help you hide the ugly allowances;

Usually embroidered patterns frameDecorative laces or inserted into the frames. If you decide to decorate your embroidery with silk using a cord, then you will need to glue it to the edge of the picture with transparent glue.

Work of professionals

Chinese embroidery technique is really unique. Paintings with even the same subjects will look different, because each master has his own vision of the world and his little tricks that are passed down from generation to generation.

Of course, we would all like to learn how to embroider.such amazing paintings, but unfortunately it is quite difficult. In order to master this technique and independently create a double-sided painting, it is necessary to study for many years. In China, this art is taught in childhood, so that as an adult a person can create beautiful silk masterpieces.
Take a close look at these works andImagine how much time and effort it takes to make such embroidery delight those around you with its unearthly beauty and grandeur. But professionals prefer to make embroidered canvases double-sided. Moreover, on one side, silk embroidery can be done with delicate light threads, and on the other, on the contrary, with brighter and more saturated ones.
In order to see how a real master works embroidering a picture with silk, you can watch a video of silk embroidery work on our website.

Please note that the craftsmen embroider on a special stretcher, which is installed at a height convenient for them. In addition, the embroiderer periodically turns this stretcher.
The stitches are made lightning fast, but beforepierce the fabric, the woman freezes for a moment, choosing the appropriate point for the future puncture. It seems that the embroidery "stands still", only the hands of the craftswoman quickly flash like the wings of a fluttering butterfly.
Of course, this is not true - the work does not stand stillplace. It's just that this kind of embroidery is a very labor-intensive and complex process, and in order to see any changes you need to wait a few days, and sometimes a couple of weeks.

Helpful Tips

In order for your paintings, created by silk,Preserved their original appearance, as well as were as close as possible to the originals created by Chinese craftsmen, it is necessary to observe certain rules:

Don't forget to check the quality of the silk threads before you start working, because it will determine whether your embroidery will be beautiful, bright and durable;

The subframe must be installed so that during operation your hands are free and, if necessary, you can turn it over;

Chinese embroidery technique is unique and unique. While working with silk, the needle always enters and leaves perpendicular to the fabric;

Embroidering silk, you should not make knots on the fabric. The silk thread can be fastened both from the back and the front side and this is done with a pair of small stitches;

In order to give the picture volume or vice versa make it an almost transparent master use silk threads of different thicknesses;

With the help of the same thread, you can create different shades, you just need to change its direction. This is because silk has its own matte luster;

Ready-made pictures must be protected from moths and from exposure to direct sunlight;

In no case can embroidered linens be stored under glass. This is due to the fact that in such conditions, silk will be like "sweating" and its fibers will soon be destroyed.

It is impossible to convey in words all the beauty andThe charm of the works, for the creation of which the unique Chinese technique of embroidery with silk threads was used. Masters are putting their soul into their work and looking at the pictures made by professionals one can not help but experience some trepidation and sincere admiration. Paintings embroidered with silk threads will always be highly appreciated and can decorate the interior of any home. Such canvases are usually passed on by inheritance, and they are kept in the family for many years.