Shadow Work

This delicate art of shadow work, also called Chikankari in India, is often found on Tara newborn baby vests or tops.

It is a type of embroidery worked on semi-sheer or sheer fabric, with the bulk of the embroidery on the back of the design so that the color of the thread or rather, a shadow of the color shows through on the front of the fabric between two solid-colored outlines. The stitch used in shadow work embroidery is essentially backstitch, but it is worked between two lines, alternating back and forth between the two lines with each stitch. The result is intricate yet delicate; like a handmade treasure.