On August 5, the “Xuexi.cn” platform recommended an article on the home page of Foshan, Guangdong: 600 years of soil and water moisture, Canton Embroidery becomes the “Soft Gold” of silk industry, reporting the dyeing and finishing techniques of Canton Embroidery, which was listed on the national intangible cultural heritage list.
Shunde, Foshan, Guangdong, is the production and inheritance base of Canton Embroidery. Under the sunshine, Canton Embroidery tells its story like a poem, and shows its lively color like a painting.
Colorful Earth on June 9, 2019, at the drying yard of Canton Embroidery in Lunjiao, Shunde. (Photo by Chen Jinde)
Colorful Canton Embroidery on June 9, 2019, at the drying yard of Canton Embroidery in Lunjiao, Shunde. (Photo by Chen Jinde)
Dyeing
Canton Embroidery is the only silk fabric dyed with pure plant in Chinese silk industry. It’s actually dyed with the juice precipitated by Dioscorea Cirrhosa Lour. Canton Embroidery is known as "soft gold".
The dyestuff of Canton Embroidery is Dioscorea Cirrhosa Lour. (Photo by Li liwen)
Dyeing is the first process of making Canton Embroidery (Photo by Yang Weihong)
Drying
Drying plays an important role in the production process of Canton Embroidery, and it has a high requirement for grassland and sunlight. The grass should often be trimmed, and Canton Embroidery should be be aired at a time when the sun is sufficient.
The worker is putting the dyed Canton Embroidery in the sun. (Photo by Gao Bo)
Under the Canton Embroidery, workers are working hard. (Photo by Cui Lingwen)
The workers are tidying up and drying Canton Embroidery (Photo by Cui Lingwen)
When the wind blows the Canton Embroidery, it is like a beautiful rainbow. (Photo by Li Liwen)
Dyeing mud
Dyeing mud is one of the most important steps to make the Canton Embroidery. The mud is not the river mud that is polluted, but is a mineral-rich river mud. After the river mud and Dioscorea Cirrhosa Lour juice are fully reacted, Canton Embroidery will produce colloid, so that the color does not fade.
At 04：20 a.m., workers have begun to prepare for dyeing mud for Canton Embroidery. (Photo by long Xiang)
Necessary raw materials for Canton Embroidery: mud from Pearl River Delta River. (Photo by Xu Yijun)
The workers are dyeing Canton Embroidery with mud that is rich in minerals. (Photo by Xu Yijun)
Washing
Workers are washing the dyed Canton Embroidery. (Photo by Xu Yijun)
Workers take a short rest in spare time. （Photo by Xu Yijun）
Collecting
Workers are folding the dried Canton Embroidery. (Photo by Xu Yijun)
Children are helping gathering the dried Canton Embroidery. (Xu Yijun)
Dancing Canton Embroidery
Performer is dancing with Canton Embroidery (Photo by Cui Lingwen)
After more than 30 processes, the precious Canton Embroidery came into being. They should be stored for 3 to 6 months before cutting. (Photo by Li Liwen)
Through the hands of fashion designers, Canton Embroidery has become noble clothing products such as Qipao, scarf and etc.
Actors are performing with Canton Embroidery. (Photo taken by Wang Shu)
（Eleanor）
