Editing Appliqué (section)

==History==
[[File:Borduurtechnieken-applique kruis-gelegde draad.jpg|thumb|Appliqué cross. The edges are covered and stitches are hidden. It is overlaid with decorative gold thread.]]
The term appliqué is derived from French and Latin [[verb]]s ''appliquer'' and ''applicare'', respectively, which both mean to join or attach. Like embroidery, it has a humble beginning. The technique was used as a way to strengthen worn areas of items or to patch holes that had formed. Early appliqué was used to lengthen the life of clothing and moved into artful techniques that can be seen in  [[blanket]]s and [[quilt]]s from numerous cultures from all over the world.<ref>{{cite book |last1=Bruce |first1=Erika |title=Salem Press Encyclopedia, Appliqué |date=2022 |publisher=Salem Press |url=https://research.ebsco.com/c/bfy7uw/viewer/html/boj7kkvz4j |access-date=5 March 2025}}</ref>

Archaeologists have discovered ancient examples of appliquéd leather in Egypt (980 BCE), and leather and felt appliqués have been found on carpets, wall hangings and saddle covers in 4th century BCE tombs in [[Siberia]] and [[Mongolia]].<ref>{{cite book |last=Leslie |first=Catherine Amoroso |title=Needlework Through History: An Encyclopedia |date=2007 |ISBN=0-313-33548-6 |page=7}}</ref>
Appliquéd cloth is an important art form in [[Benin]], West Africa, particularly in the area around [[Abomey]], where it has been a tradition since the 18th century and the kingdom of [[Dahomey|Danhomè]].
There are folk traditions to embellish garments with leather appliqué in Scandinavia, Russia and Eastern Europe, and leather appliqué is also found in [[Gujarat]], India, Pakistan and Morocco where men's clothing and leather slippers are decorated with embroidery and leather appliqué. Felt appliqué is used to add embellishments to women's [[apron]]s in Eastern Europe and decorative uses of felt appliqué are also seen among the nomadic tribes of Central Asia to decorate [[yurt]]s, floor covering and bags.
Reverse applique is used on the [[Mola_(art_form)|Mola]] textiles of South America.