Embroidery

This is where the distinction comes from. We boast a broad selection of intricate hand embroidery styles that are preserved by our artisans. The threadwork styles we use are hand-picked to make the decorative details striking and well-defined. This one-of-a-kind feature dramatically adds character to each barong that we make.

Hand Embroidery

Hand embroidery requires a skilled embroiderer, and the process is laborious and time-consuming, making hand-embroidered barongs expensive.

We highly recommend hand embroidery for high-end materials like piña, piña-silk, and abaca-cotton. Hand embroidery uses a thicker yarn with a classic vibe that beautifully complements the distinct properties of these fabrics. If hand embroidery is not an option for you, we advise using a mix of hand embroidery and machine embroidery, which features calado, a handcrafted open thread work similar to lace. It adds detail to the embroidery, producing a visually striking effect unattainable with machine embroidery alone. Utilizing pure machine embroidery on piña, piña-silk, and abaca-cotton can result in a less refined appearance. We only suggest machine embroidery on high-end fabrics if time constraints are a concern.

Machine Embroidery

Machine embroidery has two types - hand-guided machine and computerized machine. Hand-guided machine embroidery is done by a skilled embroiderer using an embroidery machine, while computerized machine embroidery is done by a machine that is run by a computer program.

Machine embroidery is suitable for materials like cocoon, cocoon-piña, jusi, and jusi-piña. However, if you wish to enhance the overall aesthetics of the barong, we recommend hand embroidery or a mix of hand embroidery and machine embroidery. These embroidery methods significantly enhance the visual appeal and intricate detail of the embroidery, which can't be achieved with machine embroidery alone. If the embroidery's visual appeal and detail are not priorities for you, machine embroidery will suffice.

The Calado

Calado (or Callado) is a distinctive feature of our Barong Tagalog. This is a well-known Lumban style of embroidery. In this technique, fibers are taken out from the fabric to decrease the fiber count, and the remaining intact fibers are woven into various open thread work patterns. Calado not only adds detail and texture but also creates depth, enhancing the prominence and definition of specific design elements.