User:BhattChandra/sandbox

The base cloth, whether wool or cotton, is generally white or crème or a similar shade. Pastel colors are also often used. The craftsmen use shades that blend with the background. Thread colors are inspired by local flowers. Only one or two stitches are employed on one fabric.

Kashmiri embroidery is known for the skilled execution of a single stitch, which is often called the Kashmiri stitch and which may comprise the chain stitch, the satin stitch, the slanted darn stitch, the stem stitch, and the herringbone stich. Sometimes, the doori (knot) stitches are used but not more than one or two at a time. Sozni embroidery (dorukha) is often done so skillfully that the motif appears on both sides of the shawl with each side having a different color. Consequently, there is no wrong side. This is done by a fine needle and generally a single or at the most double thread is used. The final effect of this type of embroidery looks translucent and has more of a “stained-glass work” look. The Aari is a hook needle which gives an even and machine like finish of embroidery. The cloth is firmly set of a wooden frame & the aari is maneuvered over the pre-drawn pattern or design. Thoridaar is yet another variation of the aari work. It is generally the first step to learning the art of hook embroidery. Shaaldaar and Chinar-kaam are other popular forms of embroidery Kashida is a fourth type of embroidery inspired by nature. The designs and colour combinations of motifs and patterns showcase the breathtaking flora and fauna of Kashmir. The motifs depict the trees, chinar- maple leaves, lotus, creepers & twigs, flowers, blossoms, badaam (almond), other fruits and birds. Samovar (the antique Kashimiri tea-pot) is a very typical & popular design used in Kashmiri embroidery. The Samovar patter is then filled up with intricate flowers and leaves and twigs to bring out it’s richness.
 * Another type of needle embroidery is popularly known as 'papier mache' embroidery because flowers and leaves are worked in the satin stitch and employ the bright colors that are found in papier mache. Each motif is then outlined in black. This design is employed either in broad panels on both sides of a shawl or on the entire surface of a stole.
 * A third type of embroidery is ari (hook) embroidery; motifs include the well-known flower design finely worked in concentric rings with the chain stitch. This is the same as the colored Zari embroidery.

“Kashir-Jaal” implies fine network of embroidery, particularly on the neckline and sleeves of a dress material. “Naala Jaal” implies embroidery particularly on the neckline and chest / yoke, where “Naala” means neck in Koshur of Kashmiri language.

“Jaama” form of embroidery implies a dense and thick spread of f vine / creepers & flowers, badaam and heart shapes, where the cloth is not visible. Such is the density of embriodery, that no fabric is seen. Variation of this form is “Neem-Jaama”, where neem means demi or half. This cuts down the density of the embroidery, making it sparse and the fabric shows. “Jaal” form of embroidery implies “bel-buti “means a fine and sparse net of vine / creepers & flowers. Variation of this form is “Neem-Jaal”, where again the density of the embroidery is severed.