Traditional embroidery was most common in the north-west. In the eastern regions fabrics were more often decorated with woven patterns. Patterns were embroidered with different seams. Among techniques of northern embroidery are a cross, double running stitch, cutouts, white stitching, through sewing on a netting, white and colored satin stitching. Embroidery methods can be divided into several groups — counted-thread and free embroidery techniques, surface embroidery.

In surface embroidery seams were made on top of fabric according to the pre-planned contours of the pattern. A counted-thread method of embroidery means the seams were made by counting the threads of the fabric without a preliminary drawing. Such seams include double running stitches, counted-thread crewel, cross and doublecross stitches, stiches on a waste canvas (embroidery on a canvas, which was sewn onto the fabric and when the embroidery was ready, the threads of the canvas were carefully pulled out). The most widespread was the double running stitch («painting» stich) which is reversible — it looks the same on the back and the front of a fabric.

Less common was tambour embroidery, usually performed with white or red threads (common in Leshukonye). In the Mezen and Leshukonsky Districts, there are also items embroidered with a cross stitches. The ornament with an asymmetric geometric pattern consisting of a small number of frequently repeated elements was common in Mezen, Onega and Pinega. Sewing techniques, materials and ornamental scenes were very diverse.

 

Gold embroidery craft was widely spread in Arkhangelsk region. Clerical clothing was embroidered with gold threads. Monasteries in Shenkursk, Solvychegodsk, Kargopol, and Sumsky Posad were the centers of gold embroidery craftsmanship. Gold embroidery in the north was done as early as the 16th-17th centuries when the gold thread was brought to Arkhangelsk from abroad. However, gold sewing became more widespread in the 18th century, which has to do with the development of domestic production of gold and silver threads.
Mainly festive clothes (sarafans, scarves, belts) were decorated with gold threads and pearls. Women’s headwear was profusely decorated with pearl embroidery, small pearls were used for it. Gold embroidery was also used in votive clothes — the amulet’ power was put into headwear, gloves and other items decorated with gold threads.

Information was prepared by the staff of the Arkhangelsk Regional Scientific Library named after N.A. Dobrolyubova, more information on the website http://cultnord.ru/