Classification of Embroidery and Embroidery stitches.

Embroidery is the art of using the needles and threads to weave the patterns on the fabrics. This is essentially done to decorate the fabrics with the designs to beautify these. This art has been used for hundreds of years, first at a household level using the hands and now even at a commercial scale using the advanced machines. Today, these works are done by hands as well as by machines.

The different ways in which the classification of the embroidery can be done are the following:

1. Free Embroidery: This type is called so because it is not dependent on the nature of the weave of the fabric. This can be done both on the woven as well as knitted fabrics.
2. Counter thread: These types of patterns are created by developing the stitches after ascertaining the number of the threads in the base fabric. Fabrics having the even weaves like the cotton canvas, linen fabrics, etc. can be embroidered in the best possible way using this technique of embroidery.

One of the types of the counter thread works are the canvas works. In this type of work, the thread stitches cover the foundation fabrics. These stitches create the dense patterns of fabric mesh which covers the foundation fabric completely.

3. Drawn thread work and needle work: In this type of the embroidery work, the base fabric is cut and the holes are created which are then embellished with beading works.

There has been a tradition of using the different types of techniques of this art form across the different countries. Most of the manual work, on commercial scale is done in the Asian countries. The computerized designs are first digitized to create the stitch patterns which can be altered as per the requirements of the density of the works.

These stitch patterns can be classified as under on the basis of the structure of the stitches:

1. Composite: These are two or more named stitches which work in one journey.
2. Couched: These types of stitches feature a thread which is held in its place on the ground’s face. This is held in that position with one or more stitches.
3. Crossed: These are the stitches which consist of a single straight thread with one or more threads passing over or under another thread.
4. Flat: These stitches lie on the face of the ground without passing over or under the other threads.
5. Interlaced or woven stitches: These are the stitches which appear to have a woven or braided look.
6. Knotted Stitches: These are the ones which are created by twisting the working thread round the needle to create a knot on the fabric surface.

The different types of embroidery stitches provide a distinctive look to the fabrics which can then be made out into the different items of apparel, furnishings and accessories. The customized works can also be done using the online medium for different types of fabrics and designs.