Page 40 - HAND EMBROIDERY ARTISAN_TT

Handicrafts & Carpets Related Theory for Exercise 1.4.20
Hand Embroidery Artisan - Needles

Needles types and precautionary measures

Objectives: At the end of this lesson you shall be able to
• state about the needles and its types
• list the safety precautions while using needles
• practice needle selection according to fabric.

Needle: A needle is a small slender usually steel When selecting a sewing needle based on fabric, the
instrument that has an eye for thread at the end that is key factor is to choose a needle size and type that can
used for sewing. Needle is used for general hand sewing smoothly pierce the fabric without causing damage, with
built with a sharp point, a round eye and are of medium lighter weight fabrics requiring finer needles and heavier
length. These needles are perfect for crafts, sewing, fabrics needing larger, sturdier needles; specific needle
and stitching projects. And the eye is perfect that you types like ballpoint needles are ideal for stretchy fabrics
can actually see to thread the needle. These needles like knit, while denim or leather require specialized
are suitable for everyone. Even people with poor vision needles with stronger points to penetrate the material
or old can easily put the thread without asking anyone effectively.
else to do it for them.
Needle 4 (Fig 2)
The needles used in sozni embroidery are fine pointed
needles that are critical to the craft. The delicate nature Fig 2
of sozni embroidery requires a high level of skill to use
the needle to create pattern.

SOZNI embroidery is a traditional art from Kashmir that
involves stitching motives onto a base fabric using fine
needle and threads.
These needles are very short and fine with a round eye.
Different types of needles This needle is suitable for fine fabrics or creating small
Different needles have different characteristics that make delicate stitches This needle is used in shahtoosh and
them suitable for different projects. These characteristics pashmina cloth.
can include: Needle 5 (Fig 3)
• The length of the needle;
Fig 3
• The thickness of the needle;
• The size and shape of the eye; and finally,

• The sharpness of the tip of the needle
Needle selection
The choice of needle is critical in sozni embroidery.
Artisans use fine, pointed needles that allow for precise These are most popular sizes used in hand embroidery.
stitching, hence ensuring that the thread seamlessly This is suitable for light to medium fabrics. This needle
integrate into the fabric the delicate nature of the craft is used on raffal fabric.
demands a high level of expertise in maneuvering the Needle 6 (Fig 4)
needle to achieve intricate pattern. (Fig 1)
Fig 4
Fig 1

These needles have a large eye and a sharp point and
are suitable for medium to heavy fabric. This needle is
used on count and woollen fabrics.

30