9

HANDICRAFT PRODUCTION 9
NEEDLECRAFT

Quarter 1 - Module 1
Lesson 1: A Brief Background of
Embroidery and Embroidery
Tools and Materials

1
HANDICRAFT (NEEDLECRAFT) – Grade 9
Quarter 1 – EMBROIDERY
Module 1: A Brief Background of Embroidery and Embroidery Tools and Materials

Republic Act 8293, section 176 states that: No copyright shall subsist in any work of the
Government of the Philippines. However, prior approval of the government agency or office
wherein the work is created shall be necessary for exploitation of such work for profit. Such
agency or office may, among other things, impose as a condition the payment of royalties.

Borrowed materials (i.e., songs, stories, poems, pictures, photos, brand names, trademarks,
etc.) included in this book are owned by their respective copyright holders. Every effort has
been exerted to locate and seek permission to use these materials from their respective
copyright owners. The publisher and authors do not represent nor claim ownership over them.

Regional Director: Gilbert T. Sadsad

Assistant Regional Director: Jessie L. Amin

Development Team of the Module

Writer: ZENAIDA N. REMPIS

Editor: AIDA M. TUIZA
Reviewers: AIDA M. TUIZA
EDWIN L. MIAS
CHRISTIE L. ALVAREZ
Illustrator: EMMANUEL N. ARNESTO
Layout Artist: EMMANUEL N. ARNESTO

2
LO 1. Understand Embroidery as a Craft and its Techniques

A Brief Background of Embroidery and Embroidery

Tools and Materials

I. Title of the Material/Introduction

In this lesson, you will learn what embroidery is as one of the excellent
sources of income in our country, it’s origin and the different tools and materials
being used in making embroidered articles.

II. Objectives
Upon completion of this module, it is expected that you will be able to:

1. define embroidery as a needlecraft technique

2. identify tools and materials used in making embroidered product

III. Vocabulary List

Embroidery – the art or process of decorating fabric or other materials with a
wide variety of thread or yarn color using needle.

Embroidery Tool – device or implement especially one held in the hand, used to
carry out a particular function

Embroidery Materials – things needed for an activity to be completed

IV. Pretest
Direction: Read each item carefully and choose the letter of your answer.

1. These are sharp, pointed, and curved upward. They will help you in doing
some tasks like trimming scallops, clipping threads, or cutting large eyelets.
A. Stiletto B. Embroidery Needle
C. Embroidery Scissors D. Embroidery Frame/Hoops

2. A short piece of steel with a fine point at one end and a little opening or eye at
the other.
A. Stiletto B. Embroidery Needle
C. Embroidery Scissors D. Embroidery Frame/Hoops

3
3. Used keep the fabric stretched while you apply embroidery stitches on the
design.
A. Stiletto B. Embroidery Needle
C. Embroidery Scissors D. Embroidery Frame/Hoops

4. Referred as a cloth which comes in different material, weight, weave, design,

color and finish.
A. Carbon Paper B. Embroidery Threads
C. Chalk Pencil D. Fabrics

5. These are yarns that are manufactured or hand-spun specifically for embroidery
and are bought in skeins, balls or spool.
A. Fabrics B. Embroidery Threads
C. Chalk Pencil D. Carbon Paper

4
V. Learning Activities

Embroidery is the art or process of decorating fabric or other materials

with a wide variety of thread or yarn color using needle. There are six basic kinds
of embroidery, namely: pure stitchery, cutwork, drawnwork, appliqué or patchwork,
quilting and smocking (Arribas, 1995).

Embroidery is one of the excellent sources of income since Philippine-

made embroidery articles are not only saleable here in the country, but these are
also admired and well-loved products in the international market such as in
Indonesia, Malaysia, Japan, America and other countries in Europe. (Department
of Education reference, SEDP series)

In the Philippines, embroidery started during the Spanish regime. Aside

from reading, writing and doing household chores and crafts, they also taught
young women how to do simple embroidery like decorating linens with attractive
designs with the use of needle and thread. The finished product was usually used
for priests’ vestments, altar tables, and clothes of statues and saints. Soon after,
they applied embroidery on other articles like handkerchiefs, blouses, dresses,
shirts and table linens such as tablecloths, table napkins and placemats. With
great aptitude and skill in producing beautiful embroidered articles showing their
patience, dedication and good taste, Filipino women were regarded as one of the
most skillful embroiderer in the world. (Department of Education reference, SEDP
series)

Do you know that Lumban, Laguna is known as the “Embroidery Capital

of the Philippines”? Lumban became known as the "Embroidery Capital of the
Philippines" because it is where fine Jusi and Piña cloth are embroidered by hand.
The finished products typically worn by men are known as “Barong Tagalog” while
the women use the “Saya” (Filipina). These products are available not only here in
our country but also exported in other foreign countries.

Significantly, through embroidery we are able to express our creative

individualism based on what we inherit from our ancestors which gives pride to our
country. Proud to say, Philippine embroidered articles are noted for fine
workmanship, durability, beautiful designs, and intricate embroidery stitches
(Department of Education reference, SEDP series).

Many towns in the Philippines, women and even young girls help the
family increase its income doing embroidery for big companies. Among these
towns are Paraňaque, Rizal, Province, Taal, and Batangas.

5
EMBROIDERY TOOLS AND MATERIALS

The quality of an embroidered article does not only depend on the skills of the
maker but also in the kind of sewing tools and materials being used. The embroidery
tools should be put orderly in a sewing box or into an organizer.

A. Embroidery Tools

1. Embroidery needle is a short piece of steel with a fine point at one end
and a little opening or eye at the other. Needles are of three basic types
namely: a) crewel sizes; b) chenille sizes and; c) tapestry needles.

CREWEL OR EMBOIDERY
a. Crewel has sizes 1-10 and sharp-pointed, 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10

medium - length with large eyes for easy

threading. They are used for most standard
embroidery stitching.

CHENILLE NEEDLES
b. Chenille - sizes 13 to 26 are also sharp-pointed 13 14 16 18 20 22 24
needles, but they are thicker and longer and
have larger eyes; appropriate for embroidery
that is worked with heavier yarns.

TAPESTRY NEEDLES
c. Tapestry needles are from sizes 13 to 26. 13 14 16 18 20 22 26
They are similar in size to Chenilles but
are blunt rather than sharp. This makes
them best for thread-counting embroidery
and needle point.

2. Embroidery scissors. You will need embroidery

scissors that are sharp, pointed, and curved
upward. They will help you in doing some tasks
like trimming scallops, clipping threads, or
cutting large eyelets. (SEDP Series,Technology
and Home Economics III)

6
3. Stiletto. It is the tool used in making eyelets. It
is usually made of wood, bone or metal. (SEDP
Series, Technology and Home Economics III)

4. Embroidery frame or Hoops. It is a device to

keep the fabric stretched while you apply
embroidery stitches on the design. (SEDP Series,
Technology and Home Economics III)

5. Gauge or Ruler. It is used to measure short

distances.

6. Tape Measure. It is intended for measuring

more than one-foot distances or materials.

THIMBLES
7. Thimbles are made from metal or plastic,
protect the middle finger and push the needle
while doing embroidery work.
METAL RUBBER PLASTIC LEATHER ADJUSTABLE
RING

8. Needle Threader is used for easier threading

especially by those sewers with poor eyesight.

9. Pin Cushions maybe made of cotton, wool or hair.

This is where the pins and needles are pinned.

7
B. Embroidery Materials

1. Fabrics sometimes referred to as cloths, are of great variety, and they

differ in material, weight, weave, design, color and finish.

Types of Fabric

a) Even-weave are intended for hardanger

embroidery since the number of threads per
square inch is the same for both warp and
weft/woof.

b) Common-weave includes most tightly

woven fabrics with a relatively smooth surface
like linen, wool and cotton. They are best used
for articles with decorative stitches.

c) Basket weave is commonly used by beginners

and ramie linen, wool and
cotton. They are best used for articles with
decorative stitches.

8
2. Embroidery threads - They are bought in
skeins, balls, or spool. They are available
in a variety of colors which are usually
coded with numbers and color names.
Select threads which are colorfast.
Buy embroidery threads which will suit the
texture of the fabric. Some embroidery
threads are mercerized and shiny.
(SEDP Series Technology and Home
Economics III)

3. Carbon Paper - It is a specially waxed carbon

paper that transfer’s the tracing wheel’s
markings to the fabric. A color of tracing
paper should be chosen that is close to the
color of the fabric. Different brands of tracing
paper have different instructions; therefore,
the instructions for the particular brand that is
purchased should be followed.

4. Chalk Pencil allow for the placement of fine

Lines on fabric, and many of them have an
eraser or brush so that the marks can be
removed from the fabric.

9
VI. Practice Tasks
It is expected that you have already an idea of what embroidery is as a
needlecraft technique and the tools and materials needed in making embroidered
article. Now, perform the following tasks to increase your mastery level on these
competencies. Please be reminded not to go back with the previous pages.
Be honest in doing the tasks.

Practice Task No.1

In your own understanding, define briefly what embroidery is as a
needlecraft technique and list down the tools and materials needed in
making embroidered articles/products. (Please write your answer in
your notebook).

10
 Practice Task No.2. 1
Name the following embroidery tools and materials.

A. EMBROIDERY TOOLS

1. 2. 3.

4. 5. 6.

7. 8.

9.

11
Practice Task No.2.2

B. EMROIDERY MATERIALS

1. 2.

3. 4.

Are you enjoying the activity? I hope so. Now, perform the
last task on the next page.

Good luck!

12
 Practice Task No. 3

Match Column A with Column B. Write only the letter of your

answer.
COLUMN A COLUMN B
1. This tool is used for trimming A. Fabric
scallops, clipping threads or
cutting large eyelets B. Pencil.
2. It is a devise used to keep the
fabric heavy stretched while C. Scissors
working on embroidered article
3. This material can be bought D. Embroidery Frame
either in skeins, balls or spool.
4. It is selected according to the E. Embroidery Threads
purpose and the design to be
used. Usually varies from very F. Pin Cushion
soft to very coarse or heavy.
5. This is where the pins and G. Thimbles
needles are pinned.
6. A specially waxed carbon H. Carbon Paper
paper that transfer’s the tracing
wheel’s markings to the fabric. I. Gauge/Ruler
7.These are made from metal or
plastic, protect the middle finger J. Stiletto
and push the needle while doing
embroidery work. K. Ironing
8. It is used to measure short
distances.
9. A tool used in making eyelets.
10. Referred to as cloth.

Congratulations…. YOU did It!

13
VII. Post –Test

Direction: Read each item carefully and choose the letter of your answer.

1. These are sharp, pointed, and curved upward. They will help you in doing
some tasks like trimming scallops, clipping threads, or cutting large eyelets.
A. Stiletto B. Embroidery Needle
C. Embroidery Scissors D. Embroidery Frame/Hoops

2. A short piece of steel with a fine point at one end and a little opening or eye at
the other.
A. Stiletto B. Embroidery Needle
C. Embroidery Scissors D. Embroidery Frame/Hoops

3. Used keep the fabric stretched while you apply embroidery stitches on the
design.
A. Stiletto B. Embroidery Needle
C. Embroidery Scissors D. Embroidery Frame/Hoops

4. Referred as a cloth which comes in different material, weight, weave, design,

color and finish.
A. Carbon Paper B. Embroidery Threads
C. Chalk Pencil D. Fabrics

5. These are yarns that are manufactured or hand-spun specifically for embroidery
and are bought in skeins, balls or spool.
A. Fabrics B. Embroidery Threads
C. Chalk Pencil D. Carbon Paper

VIII. Assignment

Make a scrapbook/compilation of all embroidery tools and embroidery

materials. Label and give its uses/functions.

14
IX. Answer Key
Pre-Test

1. C
2. B
3. D
4. D
5. B

Practice Task No. 1

Embroidery - the art or process of decorating fabric or other materials with a

wide variety of thread or yarn color using needle.

Embroidery Tools: Embroidery Needle, Embroidery Scissors, Stiletto,

Embroidery Frame/Hoops, Gauge/Ruler, Tape Measure,
Thimbles, Needle Threader, Pin Cushion

Embroidery Materials: Fabrics, Embroidery Threads, Carbon Paper, Chalk Pencil

Practice Task No. 2.1

1. Embroidery Needle
2. Stiletto
3. Embroidery Scissors
4. Embroidery Frame/Hoops
5. Tape Measure
6. Gauge/Ruler
7. Thimbles
8. Pin Cushion
9. Needle Threader

Practice Task No. 2.2

1. Embroidery Thread
2. Chalk Pencil
3. Carbon Paper
4. Fabric

15
Practice Task No. 3

1. C
2. D
3. E
4. B
5. F
6. H
7. G
8. I
9. J
10. A

Post-Test

1. C
2. B
3. D
4. D
5. B

16