In case you weren’t aware September 15th to October 15th is Hispanic heritage month. For many, it is a time to truly appreciate the culture. Regardless of how you celebrate there are many ways to appreciate your Hispanic roots. One hobby I picked up not knowing it would connect me to my culture was embroidery.
You may have seen patches on jean jackets or backpacks but have you wondered how they were made? Well, the truth is they were probably made with a sewing machine. Similar to sewing, embroidery is the act of using multiple threads and stitches to add embellishments onto a variety of cloths but, you don’t need a sewing machine to pick up embroidery as a hobby.
I picked up embroidery as a hobby because I happened to have the supplies and since this was during the early time of the pandemic, I had a lot of free time on my hands. As someone who expresses themselves creatively, I picked up embroidery fairly easily and as time I went on, I started to research proper embroidery techniques, so I can improve my skill. It was during this time that I discovered the historical, cultural, and personal significance of embroidery.
Embroidery first originated in China and the North East. It can also be traced back to the Cro-Magnon days from 30,000 B.C. and was seen as heavily hand-stitched decorated cloth. Not only was embroidery used for practical reasons, in the 18th century it began to symbolize power, wealth, and social status. Finally, embroidery got its roots in Hispanic culture from 1519. During this time, it was mainly practiced by Mexican Women and Catholic Nuns.
As I continued to work on my embroidery, I felt a deeper connection to Hispanic roots. Not only was this a result of the research I had done on its origins but the information I had heard from my family. According to my grandma, I wasn’t the first person in our family to pick up this hobby, in fact, she told me that her mother used to embroider as well. Once I learned this information, I felt closer to my family and ancestral roots. Similarly, the designs I had started with are often seen in Hispanic culture. However, I didn’t notice it at first, but my family started pointing out how my first design was similar to the ones on clothes we already owned, making me feel closer to my Hispanic Heritage.
Not only is embroidery a fun, and sometimes useful, pastime, it is a great way to explore your creativity. Additionally, if you’re like me this hobby can surprise you in unexpected ways. Although I never planned to pick up embroidery to feel connected to my Hispanic roots, I was pleasantly surprised.