For Ukrainians, embroidering is very symbolic. Only women used to embroider because this process was considered sacred – though, today anyone can do it. When a woman is embroidering she scribes the life she wants for the owner of the piece on the fabric. Hand embroidering is a process similar to the meditation. In Ukraine, people believe in the power of embroidering and know how to use this power.
Ukrainian embroidery is very symbolic. Only women used to embroider because this process was considered sacred – though, today anyone can do it. When a woman is embroidering she scribes the life she wants for the owner of the piece (whether it’s herself, her boy-friend or husband, her kids, or people who asked her to make vyshyvanka for them) on the fabric. Hand embroidering is a very important and energetic process. It is similar to the meditation. You have to do it without any anger, offense, sadness, or envy – only positive thoughts and emotions. Otherwise, the embroidered item will be bringing all those bad things to your life again and again; you will program those bad things into your future. The physical process of embroidering helps to weave the energy into the fabric. You might have heard that our palms can be used to transfer our bioenergy, to exchange it with other people, to feel the subtle world around us, etc. When you hold a needle, your fingers direct the energy stream, and the pointed tip of the needle concentrates the ray even more. That’s why you fill the fabric with your thoughts and your energy.
The best advice for single females who want to find their truelove is to begin embroidering the wedding rushnyk (towel used during the wedding ceremony in Ukraine). They should think about the ideal man for them, his features and traits, their wedding and future family, the happiness and understanding between the couple. There are plenty of examples when women found their fated male even before the towel was finished. So, in Ukraine, people believe in the power of embroidering and know how to use this power.
Married woman’s attire from Transcarpathian region of Ukraine. It consists of a shirt, a skirt, a belt, and a kerchief. The embroidery patterns are colorful, but there aren’t many
Very bright and colorful embroidery pattern on the sleeve of a female shirt. Transcarpathian region of Ukraine
Multicolored embroidery on the sleeve of a female shirt. Transcarpathian region of Ukraine
Men’s shirt with colorful embroidery design. Transcarpathian region of Ukraine
Married woman’s festive attire from Borshchiv district, Ternopil region of Ukraine. It consists of a long shirt, a skirt-like wrap-around garment, a woven apron, a belt, and a kerchief. The shirt is richly embroidered with black and colorful threads. Such embroidery pattern is typical for this area
Embroidery pattern on the sleeve of a female shirt from Borshchiv district, Ternopil region of Ukraine. Garments from this area are often richly embroidered. Black, violet, and red colors are usual for Borshchiv shirts
Embroidery design on the sleeve of a female shirt from Borshchiv district, Ternopil region of Ukraine. Garments from this area are often richly embroidered. Black, violet, and red colors are usual for Borshchiv shirts. Red rhombs with 8 curled rays are called “spiders”. They are a tribute to tradition from pagan times
Women’s and girl’s shirts, richly embroidered. Western regions of Ukraine
Festive female shirts from Borshchiv district, Ternopil region of Ukraine. This area is characterized by a large amount of black threads in embroidery designs
Women’s shirt with intricate embroidery pattern. Borshchiv district, Ternopil region of Ukraine. This area is characterized by a large amount of black threads in embroidery designs
Male embroidered shirt. Borshchiv district, Ternopil region of Ukraine. This area is characterized by a large amount of black threads in embroidery designs
Embroidery pattern on a men’s shirt. Borshchiv district, Ternopil region of Ukraine. There are cute little pom-poms on the fastener of the shirt
Colorful embroidery designs on female shirts from Pokuttya region, western part of Ukraine. This area is characterized by a large amount of embroidery on the sleeves
Richly embroidered sleeve of a women’s bridal shirt. Different colors of threads are used to make festive. Pokuttya region, western part of Ukraine. This area is characterized by a large amount of embroidery on the sleeves
Very laborious embroidery pattern on the sleeve of a women’s shirt. Pokuttya region, western part of Ukraine. This area is characterized by a large amount of embroidery on the sleeves. This particular design consists of 9,000 circles, each one is formed by 13 stitches. Usually, such shirts were worn by brides
Richly embroidered sleeve of a women’s shirt from Pokuttya region, western part of Ukraine. This area is characterized by a large amount of embroidery on the sleeves
Women’s shirts and a male shirt (second from the left). Three long shirts at the right are from Pokuttya region, western part of Ukraine (this area is characterized by a large amount of embroidery on the sleeves). Three shorter shirts at the left are from Bukovyna region, western part of Ukraine. The latter shirts are embroidered with the embroidery stitch called “nyz”. The stitch is interesting because the craftswoman works on the reverse side of the cloth and on the front side you can see a negative pattern
Embroidery design on the men’s shirt from Bukovyna region, western part of Ukraine. The mid-20th century. It is made with the embroidery stitch called “nyz”. The stitch is interesting because the craftswoman works on the reverse side of the cloth and on the front side you can see a negative pattern
Embroidery pattern on the women’s shirt from Bukovyna region, western part of Ukraine. It is made with the embroidery stitch called “nyz”. The stitch is interesting because the craftswoman works on the reverse side of the cloth and on the front side you can see a negative pattern
Embroidery design on the cuff of the men’s shirt from Bukovyna region, western part of Ukraine. The mid-20th century. It is made with the embroidery stitch called “nyz”. The stitch is interesting because the craftswoman works on the reverse side of the cloth and on the front side you can see a negative pattern
Female traditional wedding costume from Bukovyna region, western part of Ukraine. It consists of a long shirt with richly embroidered sleeves, a skirt-like wrap-around garment, a woven belt, a sleeveless fur coat called “keptar”, a woven bag, and a headdress called “namitka”
Women’s traditional wedding attire from Bukovyna region, western part of Ukraine. It consists of a long shirt with richly embroidered sleeves, a skirt-like wrap-around garment, a woven belt, a sleeveless fur coat called “keptar”, a woven bag, and a headdress called “namitka”
Female traditional wedding costume from Bukovyna region, western part of Ukraine. You can see the embroidery design on the sleeve of the shirt and the embroidered pattern on the sleeveless fur coat called “keptar”
Women’s traditional wedding outfit from Bukovyna region, western part of Ukraine. You can see the woven shoulder bag up-close
Appliqué and embroidery on the front side of the sleeveless fur coat called “keptar”. Part of the female traditional wedding costume from Bukovyna region, western part of Ukraine. The symbol works as an amulet. It is embroidered on the wedding outfit to bring children to the future family
Embroidered female headdress called “namitka”. Bride’s wedding headgear. A long piece of cloth with snow-white embroidery draped over the head
Embroidered female headdress called “namitka”. Bride’s wedding headgear. A long piece of cloth with snow-white embroidery draped over the head
Traditional women’s wedding attire from Yavoriv district Lviv region of Ukraine. The costume consists of a skirt, an apron, a shirt, a jacket called “kabat”, and a headdress (that consists of a bonnet and a kerchief). The outfit has a lot of colorful floral embroidery
Female wedding shirts, ornate and beautiful. Bukovyna region, western part of Ukraine. Embroidering with silk threads, gold and silver threads are typical for this area
Embroidery pattern made with colorful threads. The sleeve of a women’s shirt. Bukovyna region, western part of Ukraine
Embroidery design with sequins. The sleeve of a women’s shirt. Bukovyna region, western part of Ukraine
Male and female shirts from Pokuttya region, western part of Ukraine. The garments are embroidered with white, silvery, and red threads. There are three female shirts and a male one (at the right)
Embroidery pattern on the men’s shirt. Pokuttya region, western part of Ukraine
Beautiful embroidery design on the sleeve of a women’s shirt. Pokuttya region, western part of Ukraine. Several embroidery stitches were used to make this shirt
Embroidery pattern on the sleeve of a women’s shirt. Pokuttya region, western part of Ukraine. Very delicate pattern
Embroidery design on the sleeve of a women’s shirt. Pokuttya region, western part of Ukraine
Embroidery pattern on the sleeve of a women’s shirt. The pattern is rather simple; black threads are used
Embroidery design on the sleeve of a women’s shirt. The symbol used in the embroidery is not a Nazi swastika but a very ancient Ukrainian symbol called “svarga”. It is connected to the pagan beliefs of ancient Ukrainians
Embroidery design on the sleeve of a women’s shirt. Chernihiv region, northern part of Ukraine. This pattern is interesting because threads of the same color as the background are used. It gives extra volume (not the color, as usual) to the pattern
Embroidery design on the sleeve of a women’s shirt. Chernihiv region, northern part of Ukraine
Intricate embroidery pattern on the sleeve of a women’s shirt. Chernihiv region, northern part of Ukraine. The pattern is embroidered at the back of the sleeve. It is called “zaplichky” and its purpose is to protect woman’s back from evil eye
Embroidery pattern on the sleeve of a women’s shirt. Chernihiv region, northern part of Ukraine
Embroidery design on the sleeve of a women’s shirt. Chernihiv region, northern part of Ukraine
Woolen hooded cloak called “manta” embellished with colorful embroidery and appliqué. Carpathian regions of Ukraine. Both men and women wore this garment
Woolen hooded cloak called “manta” embellished with colorful embroidery and appliqué. Carpathian regions of Ukraine. Both men and women wore this garment. Back view
Collar of a woolen hooded cloak called “manta” embellished with colorful embroidery and appliqué. Carpathian regions of Ukraine
Embroidered hood of a woolen hooded cloak called “manta” embellished with colorful embroidery and appliqué. Carpathian regions of Ukraine. The hood has a bright pom-pom on top
Embroidered pocket of a woolen hooded cloak called “manta” embellished with colorful embroidery and appliqué. Carpathian regions of Ukraine
Colorful embroidery pattern on a female shirt. Bukovyna region, western part of Ukraine
Part of vintage embroidered towel. The 17th century
Part of vintage embroidered towel. The 17th century
Shirtfronts of male shirts. Approximately, the 18th century
Vintage embroidery design, part of old embroidered towel. The 17th century
Vintage towel that used to belong to a pagan herbal healer
Machine Embroidery Designs