Embroidered bags
Chinese embroidered bags carry regional stitches, from Suzhou silk to Miao villages.
Read a bag in three looks
Turn it over
Look at the back if you can. Hand stitches vary a little in length. Machine work is even, often with a stiff backing.
Read the motif
By tradition, peonies stand for wealth and honor, mandarin ducks for marriage, bats for good fortune.
Find the region
Suzhou work is fine, shaded silk that looks painted. Miao work is bold and patterned, with pleats and applique.
The back of the cloth tells the truth.
Check the make
Embroidered bags
Hand-picked pieces are on the way.
Good to know
How can you tell if embroidery is handmade?
Check the back and the rhythm of stitches. Hand work has small changes in length and tension. Machine work repeats perfectly, often with a paper-like backing.
How do you clean an embroidered bag?
Spot clean with a damp cloth and let it air dry out of the sun. Don't soak it or machine wash it. Silk thread can bleed and fade.
What is Miao embroidery?
The needlework of the Miao people, centered in Guizhou. Women pass patterns down through families, and the motifs often tell stories, such as the Butterfly Mother of Miao myth.
