Kashmiri or Kashida Embriodery

Kashmiri or Kashida Embriodery
Kashmiri embroidery(also Kashida) is used for phirans (woollen kurtas) and namdahs (woollen rugs)as
well as stoles. It draws inspiration from nature. Birds, blossoms and flowers, creepers, chinar leaves,
ghobi, mangoes, lotus, and trees are the most common themes. The entire pattern is made with one or two
embroidery stitches, and mainly chain stitch on a base of silk, wool and cotton: the colour is usually
white, off-white or cream but nowadays one can find stoles and salwar-kameez sets in many other colours
such as brown, deep blue, sky blue, maroon and rani pink. Kashida is primarily done on canvas with
crystal threads, but Kashida also employs pashmina and leather threads. Apart from clothes, it’s found
on home furnishings like bed spreads, sofa and floor cushions, and pillow covers.The base cloth, whether
wool or cotton, is generally white or cream 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.Papier maché’ embroidery. Here flowers and leaves are
worked in the satin stitch and employ the bright colors that are found in papier maché objects. 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. The final effect of this type of embroidery looks translucent and
has a “stained-glass work” look.