Discover the Beauty of Embroidery Art!

Saturday, October 11, 2025

SAEDNEWS: Bordari Embroidery: A Beautiful Handicraft and Unique Form of Needlework

Discover the Beauty of Embroidery Art!

Bordure embroidery is one of the beautiful traditional needlework techniques of Iran. It refers to a stitching method in which, upon completion, the fabric acquires a lace-like appearance. In this technique, fine parallel stitches are used to outline the design. The centers of flowers or motifs are then carefully cut out with sharp scissors to create openwork areas, giving the fabric a delicate, lace-like texture. The edges of these cut sections are subsequently decorated with additional stitches.

Historically, this type of embroidery was widespread in various forms across Iran. Due to the prevalence of similar techniques in European countries, many experts consider bordure embroidery primarily a European art, and the French term “bordure” originates from Europe. In Iran, this art is also referred to as “cutwork embroidery.”

Branches of Bordure Embroidery:
Bordure embroidery encompasses several branches, many of which can be executed using sewing machines:

  1. Ring Stitching (Halghe-doozi): A modern technique often used on collars, cuffs, pillowcases, bed linens, trays, and bags. It requires placing the ring precisely on organza fabric and stitching it carefully, demanding high skill.

  2. Spider Stitching (Ankaboot-doozi): Inspired by spider webs, this technique involves drawing the design on fabric, stitching a dense zigzag around the internal area, and then filling it with horizontal, vertical, and diagonal stitches in a rotational manner without overlapping.

  3. Hazelnut Stitching (Fandogh-doozi): Typically used on geometric shapes, this method involves dense stitching around the motif, followed by cutting the interior areas and decorating the remaining empty space with horizontal, vertical, or diagonal stitches in a rotational pattern.

  4. Tordoozi (Net Stitching): Produces fine net-like effects and is one of the primary branches of bordure embroidery.

  5. Jourdouzi: Another stylistic variation, often distinguished by the type of stitches or the density of the cutwork.

Types of Bordure Embroidery:

  • Simple Bordure Embroidery: Transfer the design onto the fabric with a pencil, stitch it using a sewing machine, and vary the line thickness to create the desired pattern. After embroidery, clean excess threads from both sides and carefully singe internal lines with a soldering iron. Any remaining burn marks can be trimmed with scissors for a clean finish.

Classification by Fabric Type:
Bordure embroidery can be categorized according to fabric:

  1. On linen and cotton fabrics.

  2. On nylon or heat-sensitive fabrics.

Conclusion:
Bordure embroidery, also known as cutwork embroidery, involves cutting out specific sections of a design transferred onto fabric to create a lace-like effect. This art form demonstrates a harmonious blend of precision, creativity, and traditional craftsmanship.