Antep Embroidery

As the name implies, Antep embroidery is done in the Gaziantep province.

Although it is not known when this technique began to be sewn, it was seen in the 1850's in Gaziantep and the surrounding region.

Antep embroidery is sewn on fabric that has countable threads. The design is generally prepared based on the width and length thread counts. When the design is prepared it is necessary to calculate how many stitches will be sewn over how many threads. To sew the Antep ajur (open embroidery) first the base is prepared.

Then according to the design, the number of stitches is calculated to go around the edges in a square, rectangle or equilateral triangle. The stitch and thread number changes based on the characteristics of the embroidery pattern. Today Antep embroidery is not just done in square, rectangle, etc. patterns but also in softer and more modern designs as well. 

Antep embroidery is divided into 6 groups based on the percentage of pulled and remaining threads and the kind of work:

Group 1: Simple open embroidery

Group 2: Few cut fabric threads and a high number of remaining threads.

Group 3: More cut threads and few remaining threads.

Group 4: Gathered embroidery, the pulling and sewing is different from the other              

               groups.

Group 5: Motifs that use special needles known as kartopu (guelder-rose), 

                örümcek (spider) and badem (almond) needles.

Group 6: Motifs that only use fantasy needles.

Antep embroidery is usually referred as white sewing, whereas other styles such as Chinese needle; susma, basic sewing needles, and the English lace masabak techniques are also exists.

Most of the Antep embroidery is used for decorating dresses, blouses, book covers, wall decoration, lampshades, purses, scarves and tablecloths. 

The pattern resources used for designs include natural objects, geometric shapes, white sewing, Turkish embroidery and old Antep embroidery patterns. 

Today, although there are many workshops for other handicrafts in the province, unfortunately, there are none for the Antep embroidery. It is only done by women in their homes and usually by order. Because Antep embroidery is so time consuming and labor intensive it is very valuable. For this reason, it is generally hidden away in chests with pride.