Embroidered shisha work is a technique of working which attaches small items of mirror glass or reflective metal onto fabric. The word shisha arises from ancient Persian for glass and the technique originally began at the Moghul court and has become most related to regions of India, where in actuality the popularity of this type of embroidery occurred during the time of the development of glass making there. As elsewhere on the planet, glass was originally an expensive commodity related to wealth. Decoration with glass mirror fragments was not only applied to textiles but also on buildings, embedded in plaster, to make elaborate patterns and sumptuous designs.
When applied to textiles for clothing and for religious or decorative hangings, shisha mirrors are traditionally utilized in repeating patterns. eshisha The inclusion of this type of embroidery adds sparkle and depth to fabric textures and when used traditionally are regarded as auspicious in that they can give protection against the evil eye.
No glue is active in the application of the shisha mirrors; a network or grid of holding stitches is the building blocks on that your shisha stitches (a type of herringbone stitch) are worked. Most of the work is performed by hand. Many different stitches will then be utilized to enlarge the style round the mirror and beads and sequins could be incorporated.
Shisha mirror decoration offers great potential to hand-embroiderers to improvise with pattern. They combine well with the richness of colour and texture of silk fabrics and may also be used to embellish patterned fabrics. They can be used in a repeating design as these were originally or can be used alone to add accent to decoration. They lend themselves beautifully to decoration on accessories such as for instance bags, purses and even fabric jewellery, such as for instance brooches, hair accessories or cuffs. Accessories with hand-embroidered shisha mirrors are unique and individual because they are hand stitched and one-of-a-kind items. Anyone using or wearing these unique items will have the ability to reflect their own personal style having an item that has had time, skill and flair taken in its design and making.