The Craft: A stitch in time preserves a heritage

In older days, many people knew how to weave, sew and embroider. Without industrialized production of clothes and other essentials, it was a necessary skill. Now it's on the verge of being lost.

Wangjiang needle art from Wangjiang county in East China's Anhui province dates back to the Tang Dynasty (618-907) and features double-sided cross-stitching. The patterns look exactly the same, whether viewed from front or back.

"The colors are basically blue and white. Its value lies in its simplicity and uniqueness," said Wang Shifu, an inheritor of the age-old needle art. For more than 20 years, Wang has been visiting local elders to regain the craft and revive the lost skill.

Related:

The Craft: Xuan brush, an essential tool for beautiful writing