Threads of Tradition Unraveled: The Enduring Craft of Embroidery
Embroidery is a unique and personal art form. It is an act of expression through which a needle transforms to a brush and a portal to transmit anything you want by using colors, threads, textiles, or any inspiration that strikes you, all achieved with the needle. It’s an enduring craft that adds a human and personal touch to clothing or decor. Every stitch becomes a brushstroke and every thread a shade of the narrative. The fabric is a clean canvas, that awaits for storytelling, imagination to be flown and the infusion of human presence.
It's like each stitch is a word, and as you weave them together, you create a story that's not just seen but felt. The human touch in embroidery is what makes it so special—turning the mundane into a masterpiece, one stitch at a time. It's a timeless craft that truly stands the test of time, carrying with it the stories, emotions, and creativity of those who wield the needle. Specifically, the true magic of embroiderers that come from around the world, with different stories, motifs and materials that change depending on the place.
In the 1800s, embroidery was a skill passed down through generations, known by all women and some men in a household. But what happened to this fine art? The evolution of the industry led to the rise of machine, and computers coming to life, gradually erasing any form of human touch and craftsmanship. Now it is very rare and scarce to really know how to do this art. The art imparted with so much care and precision that once adorned garments and homes is now being overshadowed and became a casualty of the mass production of cheap garments. Downgrading the real meaning and mastery of embroidery
As times are changing, and fast fashion is the hot topic, it is becoming almost impossible for brands and people to slow down. William Morris, a British textile designer and prominent figure in the Arts and Crafts Movement, which surged after the Industrial Revolution as a protest against mass production, and the aim of reviving the beauty in craftsmanship and traditional techniques. Morris was inspired by nature, by life and his life on the planet. Known for being a committed social reformer and inspiring artisans and designers on the principles of the art. He founded his own company ‘Morris & Co’, which also had a significant role in the Movement and had the values of reflecting the principles of its.
Now, on one hand, we have William Morris of the 1800’s who has great and implanted principles regarding how art should be made and against mass productions. On the other hand, we have the modern Morris & Co, who in 2018 did a collaboration with H&M, one of the largest fast fashion companies out there, raising thought-provoking questions. How is it possible, the company who was all against what H&M represents, ended up doing a collaboration with them, to sell? Where did his vehement opposition to the dehumanizing effects of mass production go? Did the once revolutionary and socially conscious pillars of the company bend under the pressure of the modern market? This collaboration becomes a lens to explore the intersection of art, commerce and the tension between humans and timeless principles with the changing landscape of the fashion business and machinery.
In a commercial world, we have to learn to put a line between culture and mass production. The difference when you buy a garment that has a story behind it, hand-made or when they are made by a bunch of machines in vast quantities. Each handcrafted piece carries with it the essence of a cultural narrative and a connection to the hands that meticulously shaped it, and individual touch that transcends the generic uniformity of masses. As consumers, we have to give the well deserved credit to artisans, and help preserve their cultural authenticity that they represent.
Otavalo, a town located in Northern Ecuador, also called the “Intercultural Capital of Ecuador” because of its great value in history and rich culture. It is the home of the indigenous group ‘Kichwa’ who are known for their great commercials and artisans skills. It has even become the greatest artisan market in South America, who travel the world selling their products. Inside their wide range of products, they have many textiles and embroideries in clothing handmade by local artisans and master craftsmen. Some textiles found can be hand-woven ponchos, sweaters, rugs, scarves, pants, dresses, shawls, dresses, in every size and color.
People from Otavalo are very well known for everything they weave, which is something very meaningful for their culture. Generation, after generation, people inherit these skills from their ancestors. Everything they used to wear was 100% hand-made, by using wooden looms and sheep’s wool. Even the process of the wool went through a huge journey, by hand, which includes the spun and dyeing (with natural dyes) the yarn. Weaving the yarn into this different clothing or decorative item takes time since it is such a detail, it has a human touch which raises the value of the piece.
According to Blanca, a member of a local family that produces clothing and sells them at the artisan market in Quito where various crafts from Otavalo are found, it is evident the use of the machine embroidery clothes is much more abundant than hand-stitched ones. She talked about how embroidery is such a traditional practice that is unfortunately getting lost, “people do not value the worth of hard-work it takes to hand-stitch the embroiderers, it comes to programming a machine to make out a profit of machine-embroidery”. She is one of the few in her generation that was taught and wanted to learn this skill. Blanca, had some hand-made shirts that according to her can take up to 3 months in the making. Computers are taking up this job not only because of the value that is lost, but because now people do not want to spend their time on their traditions.
In the threads of embroidery, we witness a timeless art form that bridges generations and cultures. The contrast between historical principles with modern collaborations reflects on how art and commerce come together. Otavalo, a hub of artisanal mastery, faces a challenge as machines intrude on tradition. In a world of fast fashion, preserving the cultural narrative woven into handcrafted pieces becomes essential. The human touch in every stitch should be valued, acknowledging the stories and traditions that make each garment truly a work of art.
