Embroidery is an art that evolved out of the practical aspects of darning, mending, and sewing fabric. Embroidery involves decorating and beautifying fabric with the help of needle and yarn or thread. Several other types of material, such as pearls, metal strips, quills, beads and sequins may also be incorporated in embroidery. Using a wide palette of colors and different varieties of thread, embroidery is used to lend a touch of class to commonplace items of daily use like hats, caps, blankets, coats, denims, sarees, shirts and stockings and turn them into works of art.
Embroidery is believed to have originated in ancient China. But handcrafted items of embroidery were cherished in many parts of the ancient world, including Europe, Persia, India and many countries of the Far East. In each country, distinct styles of embroidery developed and came to be recognized as an inherent part of the respective culture.
Related : Top 20 Embroidery Designs of Salwar Kameez & Sarees
Machine embroidery was invented in the early stages of the Industrial Revolution, and has been widely used since then to handle large-scale orders for decorating fabric or ready made clothes. Yet, machine embroidery always falls short of the finesse and beauty of hand-embroidered motifs.
One of the interesting features of embroidery is that there has been very little change in the conventional stitches or techniques, such as the buttonhole, chain, blanket satin, cross stitches – used for hand embroidery in the hoary past.
Different Embroidery Designs For Saree Borders
Embroidery designs on a saree is the best kind of value-addition possible to enhance the beauty of the fabric. Embroidered sarees are traditionally treasured in India as family heirlooms. However, it is not possible to make the right choice when shopping for an embroidered saree, until one is well informed of the different kinds of embroidery available, or the techniques used therein. A saree may be handcrafted using zardosi, resham, kundan, sequins, Kantha stitches, or a combination of all these.
Zardosi Embroidery Designs
In this, gold and silver threads are used to embroidery designs into the fabric. Sometimes, pearls or stones are also added to make a design look more exquisite. Cheap imitations of Zardosi are available in plenty, but a real zardosi piece spells class and beauty.Below is an ever-graceful black saree with zardosi along the borders. There is another beautiful sea-green specimen of zardosi featured here that is worth a try.
Kantha Embroidery Designs
Originally used to anchor together several layers of cloth to make baby layettes in Bengal, Kantha has achieved prominence owing to the efforts of designers like Shamlu Dudheja to revive it. This type of embroidery makes use of a subtle color that is in sync with the base shade of the saree, and is worked on using simple run stitches to cover the entire fabric. Kantha embroidery is normally used on cotton and tussar silk sarees, and may cover the entire body, or may be confined to the border and pallu.
Resham Thread Work
Resham or silk thread of different colours is used here, to create intricate patterns on silk or cotton. This embroidery is very popular all over India. This awesome saree with a resham patti border uses a traditional paisley pattern for a stunning effect. The white net saree combines resham work with kundan to lend a quiet dignified look in self-pattern.
Brocade Embroidery Work
Brocade has its origins in the Mughal era, and is representative of the mixed culture that evolved out of the best of Indian and Islamic traditions. A rich embroidery where different coloured threads are interwoven for a tapestry –like effect, brocade is the latest trend in fashion circles today. This red georgette saree with a brocade border is just perfect for any occasion.
Sequin Work
Sequins are tiny metallic beads that can be woven into any fabric to enhance the beauty of a pattern. They are commonly used to outline a design, prior to the details being filled in. This black saree has a sequined border which spells understated elegance.
Kundan Work
Kundan is a method of studding stones popular in Rajasthan, wherein white or coloured gems are used to make beautiful designs in petalled patterns. Kundanstone work may be used by itself or combined with other kinds of embroidery on sarees. This gorgeous violet saree combines kundan and zari work on its border for a mesmerizing effect.
Cut Work
Cut work uses a pre-em broidered pattern of blooms and flowers, and leaves small areas open in the form of cuts to create a three-dimensional pattern. Cut work originated in Europe, and reached its zenith during the Renaissance. Cut work embroidery is classified into Venetian, Spanish and Renaissance types, with each characterized by the patterns in corporated Featured here is a beautiful pink saree with a classic cut- work border.
Other Ways To Use Embroidered Borders
Embroidered borders could be used for a range of articles, besides being used on sarees. Features below are some beautiful cushion covers designed out of embroidered borders.
You can also use embroidered borders to create the right decorative effect on curtains, table cloths, table runners, laundry bags, handbags and the like.
You could even mix and match different saree borders and get yourself a beautiful scarf or stole to up the glamorous quotient in your life.