Embroidered shisha work is a method of working which attaches small items of mirror glass or reflective metal onto fabric. The phrase shisha arises from ancient Persian for glass and the technique originally began at the Moghul court and is currently most related to areas of India, where in fact the popularity of this sort of embroidery occurred during the time of the development of glass making there. As elsewhere on earth, glass was originally a pricey commodity related to wealth. Decoration with glass mirror fragments was not only used on textiles but also on buildings, embedded in plaster, to create elaborate patterns and sumptuous designs.
When used on textiles for clothing or for religious or decorative hangings, shisha mirrors are traditionally used in repeating patterns. einweg eshisha The inclusion of this sort of embroidery adds sparkle and depth to fabric textures and when used traditionally are regarded as auspicious in that they can give protection from the evil eye.
No glue is involved in the application of the shisha mirrors; a network or grid of holding stitches is the inspiration on which the shisha stitches (a type of herringbone stitch) are worked. Every one of the work is done by hand. A variety of stitches may then be properly used to enlarge the style round the mirror and beads and sequins may 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 can be used to embellish patterned fabrics. They may be used in a repeating design as they certainly were originally or may be used alone to include accent to decoration. They lend themselves beautifully to decoration on accessories such as bags, purses and even fabric jewellery, such as 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.
