Before reaching the end consumer, every item of Madeira Embroidery has its own history.  

It all begins with the inspiration of the designer who traditionally elaborates his drawings on wax paper.  

This design is later passed on to the perforator who will perforate the wax paper along the lines which outline the drawing.  

Tracing is the next phase which follows perforation.  Here, a sponge soaked in a special blue ink is rubbed onto the paper, marking the areas that are to be embroidered on the fabric, by penetrating through the small perforations in the paper, thereby transferring the drawing onto the fabric.

Once tracing has been done, the fabric is prepared and sent to the embroiderer who lives in the countryside.  In her home surrounded by the intensely magnificent landscape of the island, she will develop her meticulous work of perfection.  The character of this piece of Madeira Embroidery will be, to a great extent, determined by her agile and patient hands which for many hours will be occupied in composing her work of genuine unique beauty.  

After the embroiderer has finished her work, the items return to the factory which in most cases is situated in the city, where her work will be checked, trimmed, washed and ironed.  Only after all these operations have been carried out will the Embroidery be ready to be certified.