Page 26 - HAND EMBROIDERY ARTISAN_TT

Thread Visibility Visible in close view Very difficult to see individual thread
Durability Moderate (strong enough for regular Delicate, needs expert handling
embroidery)
Application in Sozni Suitable for moderate detailing, outlines, Best for micro-level detailing, high-precision,
small motifs double-sided Sozni work
Ease of use Easier to handle for trained artisans Requires high skill, patience, and magnifying
accuracy

Fabric Suitability Fine cotton, woolen fabric, pashmina Pashmina, fine silk, super-fine wool
Look on Fabric Clean and defined lines Very delicate, luxurious finish—almost printed
effect
Cost Lower compared to 120 count More expensive due to fineness and limited
availability
Common use Borders, florals, paisleys in daily-use Royal shawls, high-end export pieces, museum-
stoles or shawls quality embroidery
Different count uses Final
64 Count is ideal for For Use count
• Embroidery where some visibility of thread is desired. Regular fine embroidery 64
• Bold but fine motifs, slightly raised texture. Luxury-grade, high-end 120
work
• Softer designs that still need detailing.
Beginner or mid-level Start with 64
120 Count is used when artisan
• The embroidery must be ultra-delicate, with stitches Double-sided precision Only 120
barely visible. embroidery

• Double-sided Sozni embroidery is needed (same Shahtoosh fabric (Fig 2)
design appears on both sides).
Fig 2
• The work is being done on very fine fabrics like high-
quality pashmina or silk.
• A luxury, artistic, or export-grade finish is required.
Sozni embroidery examples

Using 64 count
• Motifs like Chinar, Badaam, or Tota.
• Outlines and basic detailing on Pashmina stoles.
• Work with shallow depth, smooth flow.
Using 120 count

• Double-sided shawls where design must appear Tibetan antelope
identical on both sides. From the most casual and easy-priced shawl, we come
to the most expensive and weighty of them all; the
• Micro motifs like Duberg, Zeal, or intricate vines.
shahtoosh shawl. The word ‘shahtoosh’ means ‘king of
• High-value embroidery work for collectors, exhibitions, wool’, and that is exactly what shahtoosh is. It comes
or exclusive buyers. from the Tibetan antelope found over 5000 metres above
sea level. Their own fur, heavenly warm and light, allows
Artisan skill requirement
them to survive the harsh condition of their home- the
• Count 64: Can be handled by trained artisans. plateaus. Hunters and nomads follow these migratory
• Count 120: Only experienced master craftsmen can animals and kill them for the luxuriouf fine hair that they
work with it. Mistakes are harder to correct. grow. Shahtoosh shawls are so graceful and elegent,
hence one will hardly find them embroidered. Their solid
essence itself is unique and alluring.

16 H & C: Hand Embroidery Artisan : (NSQF - 2024) R.T. Ex.No 1.2.11