If you have a flavour for ethnic embroidery, there is one historic set of patterns that you cannot overlook in your embroidery quest. Ukrainian embroidery dates back to 500 BC where excavated sites have revealed embroidered clothing. Until the 19th century, it was a common household craft and practised by one and all. The gallery of Ukrainian embroidery was remembered as a national pastime and part of Ukrainian cultural and national identity. Today it marks its distinct appearance in folk dresses and also plays an important role in weddings and other celebrations. Ukrainian embroidery is treated as a form of art and this expresses itself in the design and pattern of the motif. Apart from clothing, Ukrainian embroidery is also used for decoration of churches, towels and other ceremonic fabrics.

The shirt is denoted as vyshvyanka. This was decorated with embroidery on the sleeves, neck, bosom and cuffs. Other elements of clothing which the Ukrainian embroidery touched were scarves, skirts, aprons, men’s caps, sleeveless jackets, kozhukh (sheepskin coat), sashes, bed linens to name a few.

I noticed that red and black are common colors used in Ukrainian embroidery. Then depending on the region, the color range varies from pale blue, white, green and gray tones.

The ornamental needle-weaving stitch is called “nyzynka” and is executed predominantly on the reverse of the fabric which gives a sort of “tweed” effect.

I came across this book which enlists the various Ukrainian Embroidery Techniques. It looks good and comprehensive in case you are interested.

Hope you enjoyed reading this… All the best for your embroidering projects!

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