Handmade Susho

The main material of Susho (刺绣 Ci Xiu) is pure silk, but there are many component parts to this ancient art. However, all Susho begins with silk. There has been silk production in China for nearly five thousand years, Suzhou’s strategic location on the Silk Road made it a perfect spot for the beginnings of Susho.

The House of Zhang uses only pure silk we produce ourselves, maintaining the high quality standards we have had for more than two thousand years.

1. Feeding the silk worms mulberry leaves.	2. The silk worms spin silk cocoons.
3. Choosing the best silk cocoons to spin.	4. Weaving silk for the background.

Susho is a completely natural form of art. Susho uses only pure silk, cultivated from silk worms. All embroidery artwork is handmade, using only a needle and pure silk thread. The materials are solely silk fabrics, no glues, paint or machinery involved, just silk and the natural dyes used to dye the thread and silk screens. Because silk threads have a natural sheen and are layered in multiple stitches and colors, Susho is able to create hues and tones that are impossible in paintings. And the texture of the silk allows for depth and dimension that is unlike any other artistic medium. But perhaps the most striking comparison is between Susho and machine-made embroidery.

Stitches

Not surprisingly, a major difference between handmade Susho and machine-made embroidery is in the stitching process. Handmade Susho allows for a variety of stitches in varying thicknesses of thread, every work is unique. Machine-made embroidery is completely uniform; every piece is virtually identical to the next.

Handmade Susho begins with stretching the fabric tightly over a wooden frame. The artists use a fine needle and colorful threads to sew each stitch by hand. Machine-made embroidery is computer generated and fabricated. Pre-made patterns are input into the computer that controls the sewing machine to make the embroidery.

Appearance

High quality handmade Susho looks alive because each artist creates it with a personal touch. These artists are masters of their craft. Each piece of handmade Susho is unique, even when using the same pattern; artists have the discretion to vary color and stitches. A machine cannot make decisions or infuse passion into its work. In comparison, machine-made embroidery looks dull and lifeless.

Thread

Pure silk thread is used to make handmade Susho. Silk thread cannot be used in machines because it breaks too easily. Susho uses silk thread that can be divided into 16 individual strands, impossible with a machine. The thinner the thread, the more detail and definition are possible, making higher quality and more valuable Susho.

Embroidery machines must use thicker thread, commonly polyester, rayon, or metallic. Artificial thread looks and feels artificial. Machines can not use divided thread, so the thickness of the thread used in machines is also completely uniform, flattening the final image.

Backgrounds

One very easy way to spot the difference between a handmade Susho and machine-made embroidery is to look at the back of the canvas. The back of handmade Susho is irregular and loose. You can see and feel the knots. Each piece of thread is no more than two feet long and so there are knots when a new piece is started or when the artist changes colors.

The stitching at the back of machine-made embroidery is very tight and neat, every stitch is perfectly identical to the next. There are no knots on back of machine-made embroidery, because they don't need to change thread. Machine thread is very long; each spool is a few miles long.

Collectible Value

Because handmade Susho is very time consuming, and requires real workmanship, it is inherently more valuable than mass produced, machine-made embroidery.

High quality handmade Susho is collectible while machine-made embroidery is not. With the highest quality pieces, the value of the handmade Susho should be estimated by experts. A true Silk Art masterpiece is a crown jewel in any art collection.

The Maintenance of Susho

Susho is very easy to maintain and keep in perfect condition. There are just three important rules to care for this natural product.

1. No Dust
2. No Direct Sunlight
3. No Moisture

Susho is made from pure silk fibers, which attract dust. Silk Artworks should be displayed in a frame with glass. Frames with normal glass will be fine in a somewhat dark room, but you might want to consider using UV glass with glare protection, in a room with more light.

Susho should always be displayed indoors, with no direct sunlight hitting the artwork. Direct sunlight will cause the colors of the silk to fade over time. And, the silk fibers are also sensitive to moisture, so outdoor weather can do damage. Indoors, it is better to avoid areas with humidity, like the bathroom or kitchen.

If you follow these guidelines, your Susho will be as vivid and exquisite when your great grandchildren's great grandchildren are looking at it. We take great care with our processes and materials to make lasting treasures.

Well maintained, Susho will remain vibrant indefinitely, because the silk is pure silk from silk worms. Each silk cocoon is carefully selected and we use only the best. The spun silk is carefully dyed to reach the highest quality and ensure both of the colors and sheen will last a long, long time.