'The Atlas of World Embroidery' Traces the Global History of the Art Form

"The term "needlework" covers a wide variety of thread-based practices from sewing to knitting to lace-making. While some of these are functional, techniques like embroidery are often employed purely for their aesthetic qualities. From ornately stitched Japanese robes to regal, patterned belts in Central Africa's Kuba kingdom, the time-honored medium is diverse with virtually endless applications. In The Atlas of World Embroidery by Gillian Vogelsang-Eastwood, forthcoming from Princeton University Press, a world of compositions made with needle and thread is compiled into a single volume."

"Where there is fabric, there tends to be embroidery, whether in the form of ceremonial headdresses, badges, vestments, quilts, gowns, or myriad other items. Often combined with beads, shells, leather, and found objects, the practice fulfills a range of cultural, ritual, and personal purposes. Every world region has its own interpretations and motifs, from Indigenous America to Europe to the Iranian Plateau. But there is also a rich amount of cross-pollination, highlighting how international trade and migration introduced different designs across cultures."

Needlework includes sewing, knitting, lace-making, and embroidery, serving both functional and decorative roles. Embroidery appears across garments and objects worldwide, from ornate robes to patterned belts, fulfilling ceremonial, cultural, and personal functions. Embellishment frequently incorporates beads, shells, leather, and found objects, expanding visual and material variety. Distinct regional motifs exist across Indigenous America, Europe, and the Iranian Plateau, while international trade and migration have spread designs between cultures. The practice manifests on headdresses, badges, vestments, quilts, and gowns, demonstrating vast visual diversity and countless applications.

Read at Colossal