Shisha (the Hindi word for “little glass”) embroidery is also known as mirror-work or abla embroidery. Originally, pieces of mica were used as the mirrors, but later, thin blown-glass pieces were broken and used. Today, small mirrors are commercially available for shisha embroidery. If you use these, make sure to file the edges first so the mirrors aren’t sharp.
I like using paillettes, those large sequins with a tiny hole in the side. They’re extremely lightweight, not sharp at all, and readily available in many colors. They worked perfectly in my “Local pride” apron. I also think it would be really neat to use coins from around the world in shisha embroidery.
I’ve recently gotten really into playing with embroidery, and I decided to at the very least do this one tutorial to share my love of the art form with you all. All you handcrafting/DIY-type folks, get ready!
- Gather your materials. You’ll need fabric, an embroidery hoop, a sharp needle, a shisha mirror (or paillette or coin), and embroidery floss.
- Secure your fabric in the hoop tightly. Thread your needle and knot the end of your floss.
- Place your shisha on the fabric, and secure it with a crossing of foundation stitches.
- Now, duplicate the foundation stitches, but turned 45 degrees… like this.
Until you get this.
- Now, you could leave it at that, and decorate around it. It’s pretty secure and it looks pretty, right? But if you’re more interested in creating a solid frame for your shisha, continue. Poke your needle up through the fabric beside your mirror.
Then, slide your needle under the foundation stitches, from the center toward the edge.
- Pull your needle through and tighten the stitch, then work one backstitch right next to your mirror.
- Now, your next stitches will be like blanket stitches. Again, thread the needle under your foundation stitches from the center to the edge, but make sure your thread is looped UNDER your needle as you pull the stitch tight.
- From now on, when you work the backstitch after your blanket stitch,make sure to initially poke your needle through the previous backstitch. This will create an attractive chain around your shisha.
- Once I get mine shishsa started, I like to take it out of the embroidery hoop. You can if you want to, but you don’t have to. Keep working steps 7 and 8 around the mirror.
This is why I like to take it out of the hoop. It allows me to sort of bend the fabric backward to have more control over my backstitches.
- Keep going until you’re finished!
- Are you proud of yourself? You should be! You could stop there, or you can decorate it some more (back in the embroidery hoop for this). I started with a border of turquoise chain stitches, to match my paillette.
- And then… oh look! The shisha is shining with happiness!
- I finished mine up with some delightful little french knots.
- Enjoy! And join the flickr group to show off your own shisha embroidery.
Hi! I'm Emily. I'm a Navy wife and stay at home mom of two beautiful children. I cook simple, delicious, grain-free recipes, do crafts, decorate my home on a budget, and keep a happy household. I tandem breastfeed, babywear, cloth diaper, practice elimination communication, homebirth, and co-sleep, but I'm not a hippie.
Oh, well. It is such a nice stuff but it’s hard to do it I know that. Cross Stitching make me bad, (not too bad actually). Great tutorial for everybody, it is great and I appreciate it!
beautiful- this art form has always caught my eye and now i can make an attempt at it. thanks so much for the tutorial!
Доброго времени суток!
Я видел упоминание курса осознанных снов тут. Надеюсь, что будет полезным.
Thanks so much for this. I’m making hip belts for bellydance and this is perfect.
Great tutorial. I love the word “Shisha”, it is a simple mirror that can be hang inside in your house. I want to try it. Thanks much for sharing this great tutorial. Keep sharing!
[...] the more i read, the closer to perchta i felt. and then, the final, amazing coincidence; i read that in some regions, perchten are decorated with small pieces of mirror… and literally HOURS beforehand i had linked, ON the krampus makers group on facebook, to a tutorial about shisha stitching — the stitching of small mirrors on to cloth. [...]
Have you regarded as adding extra video clips in your websites to help keep readers a lot more entertained? I mean I just read through the entire article of yours and it was really great but as I’m more of a visual learner,I found that being more useful. Just my my idea, Good luck
Wow it is really simply amazing handicraft! I love to have it but i hate to make it because for me it is really hard to do especially using needles, gosh I’m afraid of using that kind of stuff. The craft is really nice and thanks for sharing.
You’re awesome to write this wonderful tutorial! I thought I was going to have to buy a bunch of pre-stitched shisha, but heck, I can do this. Thanks so much! Now I’ll go look at the flickr group!
[...] Для написания статьи использовался материал — Tutorial: Indian Shisha (mirror) Embroidery [...]
Thanks Emily! its a very nice and clear tutorial. I have been wanting to learn this for such a long time. I have already finished stitching four mirrors onto some block printed cloth. Going to try get some large pieces of mirror and stitch em up
hi…
love this shisha work.. but the problem is, i cant find these mirrors in us.. can u tell me how did get them?
thanks
Hi, I stay in India and I can help you getting the mirrors. These mirrors are available in our markets. I can supply crafts in very reasonable rate with appropriate shipping. Please mail me at sonu.eyes@gmail.com if you need such mirrors.
Thanks,i was searching for mirror stitch i got it in a very easy n clear way.very very Thanks
and i always wondered how those cute frames are done… so simple and so beautiful, amazing tutorial! cheers from ireland, eliane
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Great step by step clear images – fantastic!
Will use them in my textiles classes.
Absolutely amazing tutorial. Thank you!
It’s really awesome.. But could you please upload this technique as a video in youtube?? It’ll be more easy to understand..
do you think it’s possible to do this w/ larger mirrors? I’m thinking mirrors about the size of my hand, or something like that. perhaps if I used a dab of glue to help support the weight?
I really like your tutorial. It’s very informative and helpful. I really appreciate that.
Thanks for sharing information with us.
Great tutorial! Nicely taught. Would definitely try it out!!!!!!
loved the shisha tutorial.
where can i buy these mica-shisha mirrors.
do you think this technique would work with an oval?
Can you tell me where I can BUY these little mica/shisha mirrors? Can’t find them in a google search.
Love the tutorial, nicely done!
woops my comment went into cyberspace somewhere! Anyway, cute project, great tutorial. I’m on it!
This was a very good tutorial. I love the colors, too. Now to work it into my decor…hmmmm. Shouldn’t be a problem!!
i like this
Very useful tutorial.I tried to stitch one and it looks beautiful,and loved it much.Thanks for it.
Thank you for such a detailed & well structured tutorial. I cant wait to start!
I was longing to learn shisa-work it was simply supreb teaching which i could learn so easily. I wish u teach also the kutch-work.
Thank u .
ushamouli
Wow,
I excited and really thank you for teach me the mirror work I ever like. I Expect more embroidery..
I just got back from India and have been eying all my mirrored purchases, wondering how I could do the same. THANKS!
thanks for clear instructions
thanks a lot for the tute! It seems amazingly simple:) Will have to try it out:)
Valeu!!!
The clearest pictures of how to sew on shisha mirrors I have seen!
My mother used to teach me the art of embroidery when I was 12 years of age. And now I'm 27 years old and managing an embroidery business. This business is really in demand most especially in teens who loves bags and other accessories with a touch of style and uniqueness.
thank you its grate
I used to use this application back in the “70's.” AHA, the good ole days. Alas, too much time has gone by and I couldn't remember how to do it. Thank you so much for your detailed tutorial.
I love
This amazing
thanks
Thanks so much for this beautifully clear set of instructions.
hi really helful tutorial, bt do you know were i can buy ready made material with this embrodiary, i want to sew an indian outfit.
i think this is helpful to people outside india,to learn
thanks. can u send me some other methods and designs to stitch shisha mirror
Thanks a lot for the easy to follow instructions. could u pls. instruct me to stitch diamond shaped mirrors on to the fabric?
Thanks a lot for the easy to follow instructions. could u pls. instruct me to stitch diamond shaped mirrors on to the fabric?
loved the shisha tutorial. it was simplified and explained beautifully! thanks so much! love u guys!
It's georgeous!! can't wait to try it out
thanks for this site and tutorial, i love embleshing and embriodery and shisha just grab my fancy, wanted to learn for so long, atlast now will try it couldn't have done it without you. =) God bless!!!