Vladimirskaya smooth surface

Vladimirskaya smooth surface or "tops" is the name of the embroidery that originated in the Vladimir region. This is one-sided sewing with small stitches. It is also used when embroidering large elements and rather small stems and twigs. In the embroidery, there is mainly a floral ornament. Leaves and flowers are embroidered with satin stitch, the stems are stitched, the centers of large flowers are filled with various nets.

Why is the Vladimir surface also called “tops”? The fact is that its history goes back centuries and is closely related to sewing in gold, when each thread was expensive, and therefore they tried to embroider on the front side, forming on the seamy side a row of small stitches in the form of a dotted line along the contour of the pattern. The stitches on the right side are spaced a little apart. If you have to embroider with thread in several folds, then the distance between the stitches will be almost imperceptible. By embroidering with Vladimir stitch, the economy of threads is maximized.

Embroidered "tops" with large stitches - from the center to the edge or from the edge of the contour to the center.

The stitches of the surface are arranged according to the shape of the elements: in flowers - from edge to center, in leaves, stems and twigs - with a slope from edge to middle. The stitches can be of different lengths. If the flowers or leaves are large, their cores are filled with various nets or shapes: squares, rhombuses, triangles, teeth, zigzags, and a goat stitch.

All these figures are made with double-sided satin stitch, sometimes the nets are made overhead with an attachment. The net can be attached with a cross, a stitch, a foot (three stitches). It is correct to fill in the overhead mesh like this - first we lay the stitches in one direction, for example, in the vertical direction, and then in the other (horizontal), while securing them at the intersections. Large rounded elements are embroidered with “figure eight” satin stitch.

All embroidery is bordered with narrow ornamental stripes, for example, consisting of crosses, "goats", "paws", bushes, tassels, etc.

With Vladimir stitches, they embroider pillowcases on pillows, towels, tablecloths, napkins, paths, clothes, panels. This embroidery is good both by hand and by machine.

Embroidery is performed with thick threads - woolen, iris, floss in several additions and synthetic. The main colors are red, brown, beige in different shades, complemented by green, yellow, as well as blue or black. But these are the colors that have long been used in the Vladimir surface. Patterns of patterns for this surface have their own specific motifs, which are convenient to embroider in this particular technique. As for the color of the threads, probably each of you will present your own embroidery in your own individual style.

Product care is simple... You can machine wash on a delicate cycle by placing the product in a pillowcase. Iron only from the wrong side with a soft cloth underneath.

Vladimirskaya smooth surface is a very exciting activity. Your hands will create the beauty of Russian patterns that carry a positive attitude. And if you take it seriously, then no autumn-winter depression is terrible.