3. There are not one or two, but up to 16
different types of embroideries known in
Gujarat, each belonging to a different
community. All of these communities
have their own, unique style of
embroidery, different motifs, patterns
that give them a visual identity. Even a
person’s social status can be identified
through the embroidery he or she wears.
5. SOOF
Soof is the style that usually integrates
various intricate geometrical patterns
and designs. Generally, the patterns
that are used in soof embroidery are
not at all pre-drawn on any stuff and
thereby, the artist or workers primarily
develop these elegant patterns of soof
embroidery.It has only one single stitch
that formulated the whole design.
6. KAMIRA
Kambira embroideries are done by
the Harijan communities living on the
Banni grassland tract, on the edge of
The Great Rann. Kambira embroidery
is a stepped running stitch style, with
an end result similar to some Muslim
architectural motifs. With a simple
running stitch, which is interspersed
at regular intervals with a small
diamond shape which may or may not
7. KHAREK
Kharek Embroidery is an art practiced
by the members belonging to the Sodha,
Rajput and Megwar communities of
Gujrat. The word ‘kharek’ literally
means ‘fruit of the date palm.’The
outlines of the designs are traced
with double running stitches of black
color. These are filled with stitches
of satin thread. These filled portions
resemble bars and are individually
referred to as ‘nehran’ (river).
Objects like triangles, small squares
and other similar geometrical shapes
are created by clustering these bars.
8. NERAN
Neran embroidery has recently
been singled out by Shrujan as a
separate style. It was originally a
stitch used in conjunction with
Kharek, and Pakko embroideries.
Neran literally means 'eyebrows',
and are units of button hole
stitch formed into a curved
shape.
9. PAAKO
Pakko Embroidery is practiced by the Sodha,
Rajput and Megwar communities belonging
to Gujrat. The word ‘pakko’ literally means
solid, referring to the dense stitches that
are used. The embroidery work covers almost
the whole area of the base cloth. The
designs used in the Pakko Embroidery are
created using free hand drawing. The
outlines are created using a square chain
stitch. The fillings are done using a denser
variety of the buttonhole stitch with a
slightly raised level. Commonly used motifs
are peacocks, parrots, scorpions, elephants,
milkmaids and flowers, done in a geometric
fashion.
10. ABHALA
Mirror work has been in vogue for centuries and is popularly
known as “Sheesha” or “Abhala Bharat” embroidery. This is
an art form in which mirrors of various shapes are fixedon
to the fabricthrough embroidery. In recent times however,
mirrors have been replacedby reflective luminescent metal
pieces of different shapes andsizes, particularly on apparel.
Mirror work is used on various fabrics such as georgette,
crepe, cotton, silk, chiffon andmany more which are then
turnedinto attractive apparel and accessories ranging from
sarees, to cushion covers andbelts.
