Folk embroidery (Ma Liu embroidery)
Folk embroidery is also known as "needle embroidery", "tying flowers" and "embroidery". Because it is mostly done by women, it is also commonly known as "women's work". It is a traditional folk craft. During the operation, the needle is threaded with colored threads to embroider on the fabric to form specific patterns or words. The finished products of folk embroidery are indispensable gifts and decorations in folk activities. It has a long history and is closely related to the daily life of ordinary people. Since ancient times, there has been a saying among the Chinese people that "whose daughter is clever depends on her needlework." Folk embroidery has a wide range of themes and rich cultural connotations. It is spread all over the country and inside and outside the Great Wall. In Jiangsu, Zhejiang, Hunan, Guangdong, Sichuan, Beijing and other places, folk embroidery has been creatively developed and formed different regional styles. Ma Liu embroidery, commonly known as "tying flowers", is a folk embroidery art popular in Chaotian District, Guangyuan City, Sichuan Province. Maliu embroidery is closely related to living customs. There is a saying in Guangyuan that "whose daughter is clever depends on her needlework". Local girls start learning embroidery at the age of six or seven, mainly embroidering curtains, pillowcases, waistcoats, hand towels, flower shoes and other daily necessities. In the past, Maliu embroidery was mostly made of black, white and red cloth and colored thread. Now it is replaced by white cloth or other solid-color cloth, and the embroidery thread is more diverse. Maliu embroidery has many embroidery methods such as "full pick", "full embroidery" and "half pick and half embroidery". When embroidering, no draft is used, but the size and position of the embroidery pattern are determined by "counting the silk threads of the base cloth", which ensures the uniformity and neatness of the embroidery lines. Maliu embroidery is bright in color and rich in themes, covering many aspects such as flowers, birds, animals and insects, farming and harvesting, and wedding etiquette. Its composition can be divided into two types: continuous and segmented. Whether used alone or alternately, it can be cleverly combined, exuding a strong local flavor, with a strong sense of decoration and distinctive Qiang embroidery characteristics. (No pictures available, please provide them.) (No pictures available, please provide them.)