Embroidered Shisha Mirrors, a Modern Approach
Embroidered shisha work is a method of working which attaches small pieces of mirror glass or reflective metal onto fabric. The word shisha comes from ancient Persian for glass and the technique originally began at the Moghul court and is now most associated with areas of India, where the popularity of this type of embroidery occurred at the time of the development of glass making there. As elsewhere in the world, glass was originally an expensive commodity associated with wealth. Decoration with glass mirror fragments was not only used on textiles but also on buildings, embedded in plaster, to form elaborate patterns and sumptuous designs.
When used on textiles for clothing or for religious or decorative hangings, shisha mirrors are traditionally used in repeating patterns. The inclusion of this type of embroidery adds sparkle and depth to fabric textures and when used traditionally are regarded as auspicious in that they will give protection against the evil eye.
No glue is involved in the application of the shisha mirrors; a network or grid of holding stitches is the foundation on which the shisha stitches (a kind of herringbone stitch) are worked. All of the work is done by hand. A variety of stitches can then be used to enlarge the design around the mirror and beads and sequins can be incorporated.
Shisha mirror decoration offers great potential to hand-embroiderers to improvise with pattern. They combine well with the richness of colour and texture of silk fabrics and can also be used to embellish patterned fabrics. They can be used in a repeating design as they were originally or can be used alone to add accent to decoration. They lend themselves beautifully to decoration on accessories such as bags, purses and even fabric jewellery, such as brooches, hair accessories or cuffs. Accessories with hand-embroidered shisha mirrors are unique and individual because they are hand stitched and one-of-a-kind items. Anyone using or wearing these unique items will be able to reflect their own personal style with an item that has had time, skill and flair taken in its design and making.
You can find bags, purses, brooches, hair accessories and cuffs decorated with embridered shisha mirrors at Bodkin and Bead.
