Happy World Embroidery Day

The idea for World Embroidery Day came from a local group of the Swedish Embroiderer’s Guild and was first celebrated in Vismarlöv, Sweden, in 2011. The event has gained momentum around the world every year since, and PieceWork is pleased to do our part in promoting this joyful day.

Part of the World Embroidery Day manifesto encourages us to “use embroidery as an inspiration for people to engage in creativity that leads to a better understanding between countries and between people.” That idea is one I've carried with me across my travels to the far reaches of the globe. I also think about our similar desires to express identity with nothing more than thread and cloth, to embellish our traditions across the thresholds of time. From the earliest known stitchers, dating back to the age of Tutankhamun, to folks today visibly mending their jeans, the thread has not broken.

Enjoy just a sampling of some of my favorite world embroidery from China to Peru.