Beautiful Embroidery
We have a new obsession here at Maia: Embroidery! We adore this luxurious, pretty and sophisticated art form and love to see it used on fashion and accessories.
Embroidery is the art of decorating fabric or other materials using a needle to stitch thread or yarn. The technique can also incorporate embellishments such as pearls, beads or sequins.
This beautiful art form has been around for centuries. Embroidery has been cultivated worldwide and early examples from China can be traced back as far as the Warring states period (5th–3rd century BC).
In medieval England, Opus Anglicanum, a technique used by professional workshops and guilds, was applied to embellish textiles for religious purposes.
With the rise of the merchant class and the wider availability of luxury materials in the 18th century, rich embroideries began to appear in a secular context. These embroideries took the form of items displayed in private homes of affluent citizens, as opposed to a church or royal setting.
Embroidery was an important art in the Medieval Islamic world as well, signifying social status. In cities such as Damascus, Cairo & Istanbul it was visible on a wide range of objects.
It is also an important part of folklore art, often using accessible and affordable materials. Traditionally it has been used as a form of biography or storytelling. Many techniques had a practical application, like Sashiko in Japan, which was used as a way to reinforce fabric.
Embroidery has kept its allure throughout history and with modern techniques and digitalised patterns this art form keeps changing and evolving. To share our love for this intricate & beautiful technique we have put together some of our favourite embroidered gift ideas.
Our Turquoise Embroidered Velvet Cross Body Bag showcases the decorative technique in such a unique way. The vibrant colour, golden bead, sequin & pearl detailing amount to a pretty & quirky design.
The Eye of Providence or All Seeing Eye is a symbol of divine guidance, often depicted with a ray of light, it has been a part of Christian iconography for centuries. The symbol of the Evil Eye has also been a part of various religions & cultures throughout history. With the historical context of embroidery in mind, we can easily see how this symbol still manages to captivate and why it still plays an important role in contemporary embroidery.
Our Navy Blue and Gold Eye Embroidered Sleep Mask and Eye Embroidered Makeup Bag are a contemporary take on historical themes. Blue & gold are two important colours in Christian iconography and given that embroidery was primarily used in religious or royal context during medieval times, these pretty accessories are a nod to both.
We love the modern update on the symbolism, the pretty colour palette and the reminiscence of Milagros (religious folk charms used as votive offerings), often used in the Kitsch aesthetic.
These stunning designs are all part of our House of Disaster range. They are known for their beautiful & quirky designs. To see the full collection click here.
The depiction of woodlands and forests in embroidery goes back centuries. Medieval embroidery & tapestry often had their subjects depicted in nature settings. We love to see fauna & flora embroidered on accessories! Our woodland inspired range, features beautiful mushrooms, woodland creatures & foliage motifs that create a magical feel to the pieces.
We adore this Teal Velvet Embroidered Stag Purse, the soft, rich teal and the stunning embroidery create a truly luxurious piece. The intricate detailing on the foliage & flowers and the beaded finish of the stag head create a truly vibrant artwork.
Mushrooms & toadstools combined with a sparkle of the night sky? It is such a magical pairing! Our Forage Black Shopper and Forage Embroidered Makeup Bag are beautiful examples of that. Mystical & pretty, these accessories are perfect for nature lovers.
Birds are such a beautiful embroidery motif and our Blush Pink Embroidered Bird Make Up Bag is proof of it! From the delicately stitched feathers to the charming floral backdrop, this piece is so pretty. Whether you take it with you on travels or have it displayed in your bathroom, it will add a luxurious touch to your everyday.
The Crane in particular has been an important embroidery motif throughout history and in many geographical regions. Our Mink Crane Embroidered Velvet Jewellery Roll and the matching Jewellery Box capture the beauty and elegance of this bird perfectly. The intricate beaded accents add a beautiful addition to the textural design.
From Japan to North America, these wading birds have had a wide-reaching impact on human cultures, story telling and art. Cranes are among the most symbolically meaningful birds in the world, representing wisdom, longevity, peace and prosperity.
Floral designs are an integral motif in embroidery and are used throughout the world. Parsi Gara for example is an embroidery technique, that typically consists of floral designs, featuring intricate patterns and motifs. This style of embroidery originated in Persia and was brought to India by the Parsi community in the 8th century.
Florals are still widely used in embroidery patterns to this day. We have a soft spot for vintage inspired designs here at Maia. Our Dusky Blue Velvet Flower Meadow Embroidered Purse and matching Jewellery Roll encapsulate that in the prettiest way. The lovely mix of retro & folk inspired florals and the soft velvet fabric are a match made in heaven.
The Hamsa or the Hand of Fatima, is a symbolic hand which represents protection in both Jewish and Islamic cultures. This Hand of Fatima Velvet Glasses Case features such a unique take on the ancient symbol. The colourful stitching with beads & sequins is so pretty.
Depicting a open hand, the motif is recognized and used as a sign of protection. The history of the Hamsa hand can be traced back to ancient Mesopotamia. It was first seen in Assyria and Babylonia, where it was used as a magical symbol to ward off evil spirits.
We are a big fan of soft fabric glasses cases but also feature a range of hard shell designs. To browse our full Glasses Cases Collection click here.
We can't help ourselves, we have to add a bit of Scottish flair to the theme. The Highland Cow may not be the first motif that comes to mind when thinking of embroidery, but isn't it such a charming addition to the trend?
This Embroidered Highland Cow Coin Purse will bring the beauty of the Highlands to your everyday life. The adorable Highland Cow motif is surrounded by trees & thistles, creating an earthy, nature inspired scene.
Simply adorable! With our Embroidered Dougal Highland cow Cushion you can add a rustic, artisan charm to your home. Place this cushion on your sofa or favourite reading chair & enjoy the cute company!
To see all our beautiful cushions browse our Soft Furnishings Collection.
We hope we got you interested in the beautiful world of embroidery! We would be delighted if one of our favourite embroidered gift ideas would bring you as much joy and pleasure as they bring to us.
Seriously thinking about picking up a needle & thread ourselves & with lots of love, Team Maia xxx
