Embroidery is both a hobby many people continue to practice today and a way to personalize garments. Yet, the pastime we know and love has a long, rich history. Many people are surprised to discover just how long this thread-and-needle activity has been around for and how it’s evolved over the years. If you’re an embroidery enthusiast, find out some of the most interesting facts about the hobby below.

5 Fun Facts About Embroidery

1. It Dates Back Tens of Thousands of Years

In the 1960s, archaeologists discovered Cro-Magnons (early modern humans) with embroidered clothing. His hat, fur, and boots were adorned with ivory beads, making this discovery the earliest known human life to use decorative stitching. Cro-Magnons are believed to have walked the earth at the end of the last ice age, which could date back 40,000 years.

2. No One Knows Where It Originated

Although the Cro-Magnons may have been the first to sew items onto their clothing, no one is certain about the precise origins of embroidered crafts. Artifacts from the Zhou Dynasty include embroidered silk, but there have also been primitive examples of embroidery in Egypt and Northern Europe. 

3. It’s Been Used to Signify Wealth & Power

Before embroidered items became commonplace, they were primarily worn by the wealthy. Gold thread and silk, in particular, were among the most lavish materials used. Byzantine emperors wore embroidered robes to showcase their power, and war generals would also wear clothing with hand-stitched designs during ceremonies.

4. The First Machine Came in the Early 1800s

The first hand-powered machine was developed nearly 200 years ago, by a Frenchman named Josue Heilmann in 1828. It wasn’t until the Singer Sewing Company invented the multi-head sewing machine in 1911 that production really started booming, however.

5. Machine Embroidery Allows for Extreme Detail

Modern machines use digitizing software to achieve the greatest level of precision and detail in embroidered items. By hand, it’s possible to make about 2,000 stitches in one square inch of a design, but machines can generate 7,500 stitches in that amount of space – and at an exceptionally fast rate.

Even if you enjoy embroidering gifts, there may come a time when you need the speed and precision of digital embroidery to create detailed, personalized items for work, sports teams, or an event. In this case, you can turn to The Monogram Company in La Crosse County, WI. Their team can customize apparel, outerwear, and headwear with their detailed embroidering services. Find out more about their personalization options online or call (800) 784-9647 to discuss your needs with an associate.