The Ins And Outs Of Embroidery Sewing
With the upsurge in the popularity and use of embroidery sewing machines, a debate was begun in the creative community that hasn’t yet subsided, and shows no signs of doing so for a long time to come. With embroidery handled by the machine, the big question is whether embroidery done by a machine is just as valid as the same sewing done by hand. Answers from people appear to depend on how they view the fabric crafts in general, and whether their emphasis is on the process of creation itself, or just the finished product.
Fine art stitching, say those who favor the process over the end product, is all about the art. Two groups of people can take the same pattern, and those with genuine skill will create much finer end results. The small variables of skill will show, minutely, in the stitch placement. The artistry is in the hand work that the individuals do. But if you give this pattern to people who use embroidery sewing machines, then there will be the same end result in every case, with every stitch perfect and no variability. This, say many, has nothing to do with art and creativity.
Those who boost that embroidery work done on a sewing machine is a genuine craft focus more on the finished product than the creative process. Decorative machine stitching produces designs and products far more elaborate than anything created before. The machines also allow large volumes of embroidery work to be done. This, of course, does not impress the naysayers, who tend to argue that large-volume rote production is manufacturing rather than the actual craft of embroidery.
There is also a conciliatory tone in some arguments about embroidery sewing machines, however. Those who prefer the hand work may concede that machines do have some place in the creative process, and produce beautiful end results. Others who prefer the machines may concede on their part that to sew a “free motion” machine pattern, which gives the sewer more control of the actual process, may be somewhat more authentic than just pressing a button and watching the machine do all the work. Most labor-saving machines don’t endure this sort of debate about authenticity, but when it comes to the creative arts, it’s another matter entirely.
Kenny Leichester is a foremost expert in the interior design industry specializing in the outdoor or patio settings using patio heaters, patio umbrellas, outdoor cushions, patio lighting and so on to create exquisitely beautiful layout. His work on patio umbrellas are widely distributed and is a regular contributor to PatioShoppers.com.
