Home >> Hobbies >> Sewing

What Is Embroidery Yarn?

Decorative designs made by hand or machine needlework is an ancient art. The Egyptians, Hebrews, Phoenicians, Babylonians and Moors decorated robes and clothing with embroidery designs. Each country developed its own style that later spread to European countries like Sicily and Spain. The Bayeux Tapestry is an example of embroidery from the Middle Ages period, detailing the Battle of Hastings. The embroidery referred to as a tapestry, is on display in the Centre Guillaume le Conquérant, Bayeux, Normandy, France.

History
- Originally, embroidery yarn served to tailor, mend and reinforce cloth. The art of embroidery developed through the various sewing techniques that evolved. The machine age in the 1800s saw the decline of the freehand embroidery yarn sewing that Berlin wool and Art needlework began replacing. Canvas thread embroidery was popular for a time and then replaced by the counted cross-stitch. Printed color patterns followed, leading to a further decline in popularity of embroidery needlework.
Specifics
- Traditional embroiders make use of fabrics and yarn that can vary depending on the place. In the beginning, embroidery yarn came from silk, linen and wool. In time, embroidery yarn made from rayon, cotton and novelty yarns replaced traditional yarn. The traditional embroidery yarns have not been done away with altogether and are still in use. Ribbon embroidery makes use of silk mostly and surface embroidery like laid-work or chain stitch use the less expensive yarns. Canvas work uses considerable quantities of yarn to provide a sturdy, finished product.
Types
- On completion of knitting and blocking work, the next facet will be embroidery. Several different types of yarn can be used, but a smooth yarn goes through knitted fabric easily. Persian, Tapestry and Crewel yarn are the different types. The weight and content of the yarn needs to be considered to ensure appropriateness to the knitted fabric. Yarn that is extra thick can stretch the knit piece, and yarn that is too thin tends to sink into the material. The selected embroidery yarn should have colorfast properties.
Characteristics
- Viscose rayon is one of the preferred yarns or threads for embroidery work. It is easy to create a variety of stitches because of the yarn̵7;s smooth texture. The yarn also has an attractive sheen. Viscose rayon is a man-made fiber, but not a synthetic fiber produced mainly from natural wood pulp. The popularity of rayon yarn is due to the absorbent, low abrasion, non-static, comfortable and insect resistant properties of the yarn.

Sewing