u/ChangzhouArtisan

I wanted to experiment with using Changzhou Random-Stitch Embroidery—a traditional Chinese embroidery technique—for something a little more playful.

Instead of a classic subject like flowers or landscapes, I stitched this small dinosaur using layered silk threads to create texture and depth.

I really enjoy seeing heritage crafts evolve into modern designs while keeping the handmade process alive.

What modern subject would you love to embroider?

A handmade portrait study by Di Jing, a master of Changzhou random-stitch embroidery. The work uses layered silk threads and crossing stitches to create light, shadow, texture, and expression, a technique often described as painting with threads.

This piece uses Changzhou Random-Stitch Embroidery, a technique that builds texture by layering silk threads in many different directions instead of using traditional parallel stitches. The changing stitch angles help create light, shadow, and color transitions that resemble brushstrokes. I especially enjoy how this approach works for landscapes because it captures reflections, old stone textures, and natural light in a way that feels very painterly while still being entirely hand embroidered.

Hand embroidered with silk thread. I loved experimenting with translating Van Gogh's brushstrokes into embroidery.

Started stitching my neighbor's dog.

The head is coming together, but there's still a lot left to do. I told myself this would be a quick project... now I'm not so sure 😂

Hopefully I'll finish it before summer ends.

This is a small cat portrait I've been working on recently. I wanted to practice creating softer fur textures and smoother color transitions using overlapping stitches.

I'd love to hear any feedback or suggestions from other embroiderers!

I've been learning Changzhou Random-Stitch Embroidery, a traditional Chinese embroidery technique that uses overlapping stitches to create painterly textures.

This practice piece was inspired by Van Gogh's Starry Night. I tried to recreate the swirling movement and color transitions using silk threads.

I'd love to hear any feedback or suggestions for improving color blending and texture.