Embroidery Types

Surface embroidery refers to any embroidery stitch that is worked on the surface of the cloth.

Candlewicking is a type of whitework having designs made of groups Colonial knots arranged in intricate patterns.

Redwork encompasses any type of embroidery worked in red thread on white or natural-colored fabric. It is most common in surface embroidery and cross stitch. Redwork has been commonly used in folk embroidery since the advent of stable dyes.

Bluework Embroidery is any embroidery worked exclusively in blue thread on a white or natural colored fabric ground. Bluework can be worked in any type of embrdoidery including surface embroidery, cross stitch or crewel.

Sashiko is a form of Japanese folk embroidery using the basic running stitch to create a patterned background. The Japanese word Sashiko means "little stabs" and refers to the small stitches used in this form of needlework.

Blackwork is a style of counted thread embroidery thought to have originated in Spain. It is traditionally worked in black thread on white evenweave fabric, but today is often worked in other colors.

Whitework is any type of embroidery worked in white thread on a white fabric ground. White-on-white embroidery is beautiful, elegant and can be worked in a variety of techniques, including surface embroidery, hardanger & hedebo, pulled or drawn thread, schwalm, reticella, mountmellick, cutwork & richelieu, and more. The sites listed below...

Embroidery using heavy metal thread is referred to collectively as Goldwork. Popular colors for this type of needlework are gold, silver and sometimes copper. When working Goldwork, metal threads of different types and weights are laid or attached to the surface of the fabric using a couching stitch.

Drawn Thread is a type of counted thread embroidery used to create open, airy designs in the spaces created by "drawing" or removing threads from the base fabric.

Pulled thread embroidery is a counted thread technique. Stitches are worked around groups of threads in the base fabric to form gaps, creating lacy, airy fillings, bands, border and hems.

Hardanger is a form of embroidery which developed in Hardanger, Norway. It features cutwork and satin stitch arranged intricate, geometric designs.

Hedebo is a popular form of whitework, originating in the Hedebo region of Denmark.

Schwalm is a type of whitework, worked in surface embroidery and pulled thread stitches.