Embroidery is a handcraft that is called needlework by some. That is such a sad understatement of the complicity of embroidery though. Embroidery is the creation of a decorative design and following that design through with the artwork or needlework to fill the picture with beautiful lasting color and texture. The stitches are usually designed in strands with the use of a needle. It is for this fact that embroidery is often considered by many as the "art of needlework".

Although embroidery uses fabric as its common material, people who have passions for it often incorporate the art with other materials, including beads, metal strips, sequins, quills, and pearls. These materials are incorporated as part of the design simply to enhance the look of the finished product.

Embroidery comes in a number of types. The types are basically considered according to the fundamental fabric used in the craft, as well as to the way the stitches are placed on the fabric. One of the most well-known types is the so-called "free embroidery".

Free embroidery involves the use of different designs that are placed on to the fabric regardless of how the underlying fabric is weaved. How the Chinese do their embroidery is one concrete example of this kind.

Embroidery fabric also has many different variations. There are counted-thread fabrics that make applying the stitches very easy and there are also gridded fabrics for the same purpose. Linen and cotton fabrics can also be used for this specialized craft. If you are doing a cross-stitch, then you are doing the counted-thread embroidery. As you can see, embroidery can be done on most any fabric available.

Note that there are also several experts who classify embroidery according to the location of the stitches, whether on top or through the fabric. In this classification, they consider surface embroidery as a major kind in which patterns are crafted on top of the fabric with the use of certain artistic threads and stitches. The cross-stitch can also be considered as a concrete example of this.

Finally, there is the canvas work in which threads are stitched through the foundation fabric. This is done for one particular purpose - to develop an opaque pattern that can ultimately wrap the fabric up. The stitches made for this kind depend largely on what the stitchery wants.

The joy and pride that comes with a handmade or even a machine made embroidery is second to none. Yes, technology has made the craft easier and faster to complete but the craft is still loved by many.

Finally, there is the canvas work in which threads are stitched through the foundation fabric. This is done for one particular purpose - to develop an opaque pattern that can ultimately wrap the fabric up. The stitches made for this kind depend largely on what the stitchery wants.

The joy and pride that comes with a handmade or even a machine made embroidery is second to none. Yes, technology has made the craft easier and faster to complete but the craft is still loved by many.