Forest Melody Embroidery - A4 Tote

● Forest Melody Embroidery - A4 Tote Bag with Lid Birds, pomegranates, and flowers are crafted from denim appliqués against a black background. The subtly raised blue threads bring a touch of vibrant energy. We've finally created our take on the quintessential A4 tote bag. Crafted from waterproof nylon, it features ample pockets. The inner pocket, which also serves as a lid, offers versatile and convenient use. ◎ Embroidery adorns the exterior of the bag and its pockets. Each piece possesses a unique character, meticulously hand-embroidered by the skilled artisan, Hun, using a free-motion embroidery technique. ◎ The base is reinforced with urethane material, providing protection against impact and weight. ◎ A convenient pocket on the back, perfect for a smartphone, is included. It measures 18cm in height. ◎ D-rings are attached to both sides, allowing for the optional addition of a shoulder strap. ◎ Inside, you'll find three open compartments and a zippered pocket that doubles as a lid. A snap hook with a strap is provided for attaching keys or other small items. Elastic bands along the sides keep water bottles or umbrellas upright. ◎ The interior lining is made of blue nylon. ◎ Waterproof nylon is used for all areas except the front and pocket embroidery. *This is because the waterproof coating on the back of the nylon makes it difficult to embroider, as it doesn't stretch. ■ Size: 25cm (Height) x 38cm (Width) x 15cm (Depth) ■ Weight: 398g *As each item is handmade, there may be individual differences. Particularly for items with darts or gathers, measurements may vary by a few centimeters depending on how they are taken. Therefore, please consider the size holistically, including the photographs. Also, please note that items may appear larger in photos when positioned in front of a person. 《Black Nylon Fabric》 Type ◎ This item will be shipped from Vietnam via standard mail with tracking. Handmade by a Japanese resident in Vietnam. https://youtu.be/To9853__kGY The Fading Art of Free-Motion Embroidery Most of the embroidery on Pangandaran bags is created using free-motion embroidery. We often get asked, "How is free-motion embroidery different from regular machine embroidery?" Standard machine embroidery is automated; the machine reads the design and stitches it automatically, resulting in perfectly uniform and identical pieces. In contrast, free-motion embroidery is a craft where the artisan manually moves the fabric to create the design. Because it's human-made, each piece has its own unique expression. No two embroidered designs are exactly alike, and the finished embroidery has a texture that resembles hand-stitching. It's an incredible artisanal skill that involves transferring the sketch to the fabric and meticulously stitching while referring to the original artwork, all while controlling the up-and-down motion of the sewing machine needle. Currently, there are just over 400 people in Vietnam who can perform free-motion embroidery. Of these, only about 50 are able to do it professionally. Furthermore, only 30 have passed the highest level (Level 4) of embroidery certification. Among them, a mere 10 can execute the intricate embroidery required by Pangandaran. However, being skilled isn't enough; embroidery also requires a keen sense of aesthetics. Subtle nuances can significantly alter the overall impression. Therefore, at Pangandaran, we entrust our work to Hun, who possesses the highest level of skill. Hun, now 46, has been embroidering since he was 15, bringing 31 years of dedicated experience to his craft. He also has an exceptional artistic sensibility, earning our complete trust. With Vietnam's economic development, traditional crafts, like many places, face challenging circumstances. Since 2000, the number of people capable of free-motion embroidery has been rapidly declining, and there are virtually no young people learning this skill today. As the number of artisans is expected to decrease further, Vietnamese free-motion embroidery is facing a precarious future, potentially disappearing within the next decade or so. In this video, we invited the highly skilled artisan Hun to create an 'Unpredictable Rain' embroidery. Witness the beauty of embroidery brought to life with his masterful technique.