Suzani is a type of embroidered and decorative tribal textile made in Tajikistan, Uzbekistan, Kazakhstan and other Central Asian countries. Its name is from the Persian ???? Suzan which means needle. The art of making such textiles in Iran is called ???????? Suzank?ri (needlework).

Chain, satin, and buttonhole stitches are the primary stitches used. There is also extensive use of couching, in which decorative thread laid on the fabric as a raised line is stitched in place with a second thread.

Suzanis were traditionally made by Central Asian brides as part of their dowry, and were presented to the groom on the wedding day.

House Beautiful featured Suzani fabrics:

Flowers like big suns. Winding vines, unfolding leaves, tangled webs. Black and white and red and blue and yellow. All there in the vibrantly colored fabrics called suzani. For me the discovery of such a wonderful, intricate craft began as research for a story. But now it’s turned into an obsession. Oh well. Just look at the beautiful pieces I’ve discovered along the way.

And the amazing experts. Like Andrew Hale from the Anahita Gallery in New Mexico. He spent so much time explaining the wonderful history of suzani to me; I’m forever grateful.

“Suzani represent the best type of Central Asian art. Deeply rooted in centuries of tradition but still allowing for the spontaneity of the artist. The best balance symmetry and asymmetry, old patterns with personal whimsy like nothing else I have ever seen. Just like a great jazz musician uses a basic melody as a starting point for improvisation, a great embroiderer plays off an old pattern to create something new and personally meaningful. These are things you can look at everyday for years and see something new.”

Suzani patterns are wonderful for upholstered furniture, ottomans, pillows, rugs and even framed fabric for wall art. 

The last pillow is from a wonderful little Etsy shop.