Pashtun Embroidery
The Pashtun living in the Wardak region, for example, are noted for multi-coloured silk embroideries on a monochrome cotton or silk ground. The embroideries are worked in satin stitch in complex geometric designs that radiate out from a central motif, such as a star.
Mangal Pashtun, from eastern Afghanistan, often use satin stitch to create lozenges that cover the whole embroidered surface. The difference is in the accent, worked in holbein and back stitches in black and white, so contrasting with the colour of the rest of the embroidery. The designs do not follow the grain, but instead form diagonal lines that accentuate the lozenge designs.
Waistcoats for Pashtun men are often decorated with gold or silver coloured braids, which are sewn in intricate, geometric designs onto the ground material, such as red velvet. This type of embroidery is also used for women’s dresses.”
Described as Pashtun Mangal, Paktya, 1930.

Paktia, Afghanistan
Afghanistan – chain stitch (detail)
Paktia, Afghanistan
Afghanistan

Koochie embroidered wallet Afghanistan
Very tight chain stitch on Bukara silk.
Koochie dress-detail
Afghanistan

Embroidered cap and tassels Embroidered cap from Kandahar. Tassels nomadic.

Ghazni area, Katawaz. Afghanistan.

Pakistan
Silk embroidery on cotton
Pashtun Shawl
Swat Valley, Pakistan
Silk satin-stitch embroidery on cotton.
Pashtun Cushion Cover
Swat Valley, Pakistan
Silk embroidery on cotton
Pashtun Child’s Vest
Ghazni area, Afghanistan
Fine silk cross-stitch embroidery on cotton, with silver couching, applied gold braid, and beaded edging.