Deputy passes down traditional embroidery heritage

Cheng is also paying special attention to cultivating young talent for embroidery.

To combat the exodus of young talent, she has established three mentorship studios to provide training for over 60 artisans, three of whom have been named provincial-level inheritors.

She said the difficulties faced by young embroiders in terms of career advancement posed the main challenge for the industry's development.

More than that, some enterprises have tarnished the brand of Hunan embroidery by selling substandard pieces.

She suggested that the government provide more career opportunities and salary incentives for embroidery inheritors and actively promote their stories on media platforms.

To win over young fans, Cheng said her team has repositioned traditional embroidery as a dynamic and relatable craft. Through collaborations with popular milk tea brand Chayan Yuese, from dairy packaging to the decoration of trendy tea shops, they have further embedded embroidery into daily life.

The latest breakthrough of Cheng's team — 3D embroidery — epitomizes their innovative spirit.

Cheng is a fourth-generation inheritor of the pengmao stitch in Hunan embroidery, which is a specialized needlework technique that creates realistic, 3D animal fur textures through layered, irregular stitching.

By reimagining the traditional pengmao stitch, her team created hyper-realistic embroidered horse images that appear to leap from the canvas, blending depth, light and texture.

Despite progress, challenges remain. Cheng said over 80 percent of Hunan embroiderers are older than 50 years old, highlighting an urgent need for youth engagement. "We must meet young people wherever they are," she said.

Reflecting on her 36-year journey, she credits her mentors for giving her unwavering dedication. "As an apprentice, I nearly quit countless times. But my teachers taught me that mastery demands 'eating bitterness' — persisting through monotony and setbacks," she said.

Becoming an embroidery master is a pilgrimage of the body and mind, she said. Today, as a mentor, her pride lies in nurturing a new generation.

"When I see a 20-year-old's embroidery skill rivaling a master's, I know the craft will live on."

For Cheng, the fight to preserve Hunan embroidery is a deeply personal choice. "Every stitch carries the soul of our ancestors. My duty is to ensure those threads weave into tomorrow's tapestry," she said.

zoushuo@chinadaily.com.cn