BEHIND THE DESIGN: The art of suzani

Our Suzani Embroidered Duvet Cover is a fresh update for the bed, but the inspiration behind it is centuries old. There are many reasons to fall in love with suzani, from the intricacy of the embroidery to the careful craftsmanship, to its historical significance. Let’s go Behind the Design and learn a bit more.   

What is a suzani?

A suzani is an artfully embroidered textile that originated with nomadic tribes in Central Asia more than five centuries ago. The word suzani, in fact, is derived from the Persian word suzan, or needle. Suzanis were traditionally made by brides, embroidered by hand, and given as a gift to their husbands on their wedding day. These beautiful, ornamented textiles found many uses in a yurt, such as seating, mats for praying, wrappings for special belongings, and as bedding.

How is it made?

While suzanis were once stitched entirely by hand, today’s suzanis utilize more modern sewing techniques. Ours is meticulously crafted with hand-guided machine embroidery. Artisans begin their work with a special pattern paper and follow that outline with embroidery to create each piece’s unique, vintage-look design.

Who makes ours?

The suzani designs in our collection pay homage to this traditional art form. But as important as it is to us to reimagine and recreate these incredible pieces, it’s equally as important that we ensure responsible and respectful treatment of the artisans who make them. That’s why we’re proud to partner with a family-run company who prioritizes fair and consistent employment of local artisans and craftspeople.

Get the look

The Suzani Embroidered Duvet Cover and Sham get its vintage-textile look from a mix of straight-line and circular hand-guided crewel embroidery, using a duo of different yarns for generous dimension and a substantial feel. In machine-washable cotton chambray, it’s a beautiful blend of the old and the new, the pretty and the practical. Find it, and more instant updates for your bed, in our Duvet and Comforter Cover collection.