Chinese Culture >> Chinese Handicrafts >> Su Embroidery
Introduction to Su Embroidery
Su
embroidery features a strong, folk flavor and its weaving techniques are
characterized by the following: the product surface must be flat, the rim must
be neat, the needle must be thin, the lines must be dense, the color must be
harmonious and bright and the picture must be even. Su embroidery products fall
into three major categories: costumes, decorations for halls and crafts for
daily use, which integrate decorative and practical values. Double-sided
embroidery is an excellent representative of Su embroidery.
With a history of more than 3,000 years, Su embroidery is the
general name for embroidery products in areas around Suzhou, Jiangsu Province.
The craft, which dates back to the Three Kingdoms Period (220-280), became a
sideline of people in the Suzhou area during the Ming
Dynasty (1368-1644). Well known for its smoothness and delicateness, Su
embroidery won Suzhou the title City of Embroidery in the
Qing Dynasty. In the mid and late Qing Era, Su
embroidery experienced further developments involving works of double-sided
embroidering. There were 65 embroidery stores in Suzhou City. During the
Republic of China period (1912-1949), the Su embroidery industry was in decline
due to frequent wars and it was restored and regenerated after the founding of
new China. In 1950, the central government set up research centers for Su
embroidery and launched training courses for the study of embroidery. Weaving
methods have climbed from 18 to the present 40.