Broderi

Broderi, or embroidery, is the textile art of decorating fabric by sewing stitches with a needle and thread or yarn. It encompasses a wide range of techniques, from counted-thread forms such as cross-stitch and Hardanger to freehand styles that use satin, stem, chain, or backstitch. It may also combine appliqué and cutwork or pulled-work methods to create openwork designs. Materials include linen, cotton, silk, or blends as the fabric base, and embroidery floss, silk thread, or wool, with needles, hoops or frames and stabilizers used to control tension.

Historically, embroidery has ancient roots across many cultures and has served both practical and decorative purposes. In Europe it flourished in medieval and early modern households for adorning clothing, altar textiles, and samplers used to teach stitchwork. Regions developed distinctive traditions, such as Scandinavian whitework and geometric folk motifs, and Norwegian Hardanger embroidery, a counted-thread technique featuring cutwork. Industrialization broadened access to standardized threads and patterns, and later movements emphasized handmade quality. In many cultures, embroidery remains a key part of dowry objects, heirlooms, and ceremonial textiles.

In contemporary practice, broderi includes both traditional hand stitching and machine embroidery. It persists as a hobby, an artistic medium, and a component of fashion and interior design. Advances in digital tools and computerized embroidery machines enable complex repeat patterns, while hand embroidery emphasizes texture, individuality, and expressive variation. See also embroidery for related topics.