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.
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these are gorgeous! I have so many outfits with mirror work, but never figured out how it was done.
Thank u very much, you have saved my time a lot as i working on this. The you have shown the tutorial was excellent. Once again thank u.
Thank you so much for your clearly photographed and written instructions! I am so excited to try this with shells, stones and other found objects besides mirrors! Also have enjoyed reading your blog!
Wow thats so cool n super easy thnx fr sharing jazakallah
How cool is that?!! We have a bunch of paillettes–I’ll give this a try today. Thanks so much for sharing.
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nice tutorial.really loved it..can u just tell me how to do mirror work in a triangle shape
Love the detailed post! What camera are you using to get those macro shots? Sorry, I’m still new at this embroidery thing and I wanted also to try out DIY stuff. Your blog is an inspiration
Thanks again!
Kristine
http://wear-diyfashion.blogspot.com/
Thank you, your explanation is really good and clear. I have always wanted to have a go at these pretty decorations and now I can.
wow!!!..its wonderful..n very nicely illustrated..
Olá, Emily… Este tutorial é tudo que eu a muito tempo queria!!
Obrigada por compartilhar!!!
Thank you so much. I want to teach my Year 10 Textiles group shisha embroidery and your tutorial made it so easy to pick up the technique. I am yet to try it myself but thanks once again
Kind regards
Debbie Smith
Thanks a lot for this, it’s really nice
I tried it this morning http://www.flickr.com/photos/zedster01/6923227373/in/photostream
2 2 2 cool…I’ve got to try that!!!
Nice tutorial! I always wondered how they do that! Thanks for sharing.
What a great tutorial. The photos are clear, and the mystery is solved! Thank you.
Hi
you works very beautifull,please send me enother your works.thank u
thankyou…looks awesome!
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