Embroidery shows vibrant Tibetan techniques

The ancient craft deeply rooted in culture is now being given modern appeal, Yang Feiyue reports.

Lhamo Yudron's Tibetan embroidery workshop looks as if it is wrapped by a tapestry of polychromatic paintings. Items are neatly arranged on the walls and feature elements like Tibetan mastiffs, antelopes, girls carrying water on their backs, as well as the eight auspicious symbols of Tibetan Buddhism, including the conch shell, the treasure vase and the golden fish.

Their special technique of Tibetan embroidery renders them a three-dimensional effect, as if they are about to jump out of the cloth.

"If you look closely, you can see the vivid facial expressions of the historical figures, which is a result of repeated exploration and experimentation, embroidered layer upon layer to follow the contours of the facial muscles," says Lhamo Yudron, who comes from Shagou township in the Hainan Tibetan autonomous prefecture, Qinghai province.

Tibetan embroidery originated in the 9th century and is regarded as one of the three major arts of Tibetan Buddhism, alongside thangka painting and pile needlework (fabrics being trimmed, pasted and sewn back together to deliver a deep visual impact).

Tibetan embroidery is also one of the most distinctive traditional embroidery styles among China's ethnic cultures, known for its vibrant colors, smooth lines, lifelike characters and exquisite craftsmanship.

It features dieceng stitching, the layered technique that involves patterns upon patterns to create a three-dimensional effect. The stitching gives the embroidery depth and texture.