Unique double-sided ribbon embroidery artworks.

With a typical hand-embroidered piece, besides the beautiful side displayed on the outside, the other side, often called the "reverse side," is placed inside. But with the embroidered works of the skilled hands of artisan Tran Thanh Tong (residing on Hoang Van Thu Street, Ninh Kieu Ward, Can Tho City), both sides are works of art.

Mr. Tran Thanh Tong, 55 years old, is a seasoned tailor. In recent years, he has become well-known for making traditional ao dai (Vietnamese long dress) such as the five-panel ao dai and the single-panel ao dai. He constantly learns and researches to preserve the traditional details, from the buttons and placket to the skirt, and also creates new cutting, sewing, and embroidery techniques to enhance the beauty of his products.

Double-sided ribbon embroidery is Mr. Tong's innovative creation, and it's proving very popular with customers. His house in a small alley off Hoang Van Thu Street displays many impressive products. Besides traditional ao dai dresses, he also applies embroidery to fans, decorative items made from various materials like burlap and leaves, handbags, and even embroidered paintings. Anyone admiring his fans adorned with ribbon-embroidered flowers is amazed. Notably, both the front and back of the fan are "main sides," two independent works of art. The flowers are embroidered in 3D, making them look very lifelike, as if real flowers were attached. Similarly, Mr. Tong can apply this technique to paintings and dresses as well.

Mr. Tong embroiders double-sided ribbon, showcasing his recently completed works. Photo: DUY KHOI

Mr. Tran Thanh Tong recounted that, previously, he only embroidered ordinary ribbon patterns onto clothing or created paintings, mainly on feng shui, nature, or four-panel paintings… But then he independently experimented to create this double-sided embroidery technique. “In double-sided ribbon embroidery, the most difficult part is ensuring that the stitch starting on one side of a line ends when it crosses to the other side, and vice versa. For example, when embroidering a flower petal, if one side is the beginning of the petal, the other side will be the end. Everything must ensure the lines are soft and lifelike,” Mr. Tong explained. Mr. Tong confidently stated that his embroidery technique is “unique.”

To create beautiful embroidery, Mr. Tong determines the embroidery materials and purpose to create a suitable theme, then sketches the composition, lines, colors, and even the technique of color blending on the material, making the work look lifelike. Each stitch is meticulously and decisively embroidered, and the emotions expressed through the work show Mr. Tong's dedication and passion. Some pieces take a few hours to complete, while others take several days, but Mr. Tong's reward is the beautiful, satisfying finished product that customers appreciate. Mr. Tong added that there is no template for an embroidery piece; it is all about the creativity and spontaneity of the embroiderer.

To cater to the Lunar New Year market, Mr. Tong created many embroidered works with different colors, themes, and materials to serve his customers. These works showcase the talent of a diligent craftsman who beautifies life.

DANG HUYNH

Source: https://baocantho.com.vn/doc-dao-nhung-tac-pham-theu-ruy-bang-2-mat-a195391.html