Traditional Hand Embroidery
Core Characteristics:Relies entirely on manual needlework; pieces are unique and possess high artistic value; it is a core form of transmission for national and provincial-level Intangible Cultural Heritage.
Standard Workflow: Design creation → Pattern tracing → Backing fabric preparation (adding paper or fabric interlining for stiffness and flatness) → Pattern transfer → Color matching → Mounting on the frame → Manual stitching → Removal from frame → Pressing/Finishing → Final mounting/trimming.
Craftsmanship Standards:Adheres to the "Five Principles" (Smooth, Neat, Flat, Even, Clean): straight lines are crisp, curves are fluid, stitches are tidy with no jagged edges, the surface is flat with no thread distortion, stitch spacing is consistent (no gaps or overlaps), and the overall surface is clean and free of ink or stains.
Representative Schools:Includes the "Four Famous Embroideries" (Su, Xiang, Yue, and Shu) as well as ethnic styles like Tujia and Miao embroidery; employs hundreds of stitch techniques to achieve intricate, realistic, and gradient (shading) effects.
Semi-Mechanical Hand-Guided Embroidery
Core Characteristics: Utilizes a standard sewing machine while the artisan manually guides the embroidery frame; a distinctive technique found in Intangible Cultural Heritage crafts like Fuzhou hand-guided embroidery, combining mechanical efficiency with the uniqueness of handwork.
Standard Workflow:Sketching → Pattern making → Design finalization → Pattern transfer → Thread matching → Mounting on the frame → Manual frame guidance during stitching → Pressing and finishing.
Craftsmanship Advantages: By controlling stitch length, thread angle, and pressing force, it creates textural depth impossible to replicate with computerized machine embroidery. When paired with specially made plant-dyed silk threads, it achieves gradient effects reminiscent of traditional Chinese painting and allows for specialized 3D techniques such as Zhang velvet embroidery and cutwork.