The Embroiderer

With its history of around 150 years, the production process of Madeira Embroidery still maintains the same authenticity as from the start, being entirely produced by hand. A very clear decision was made by the Madeira Embroidery industry to maintain and place value on the authenticity of this handicraft developed with perfection and strict standards by the hands of Madeira embroiderers.  The embroiderer is the key performer in Madeira Embroidery.  Each embroiderer knows her role, in which perfection is the standard.  

In Madeira, embroidery is not intended only to enrich and beautify the fabric but is a means of personalizing an item in linen, silk or batiste, turning it into a work of art which will be passed on from generation to generation.  


The embroiderers normally work at farming with their husbands and they learnt how to embroider from their mothers who also were embroiderers.  

Nowadays there are around 4500 embroiderers in Madeira who dedicate their time daily to the art of Embroidery and they all benefit from Social Security and belong to the Embroidery Workers Union.  Working from home is the embroiderers’ option.   
No item of Madeira Embroidery is like any other.  Each piece of work has the embroiderer’s personal touch in her handiwork of long hours dedicated to achieving its meticulous perfection.