Sermeh embroidery (Persian: سرمه دوزی), also known as Sormeh embroidery, is an Iranian ancient-style of embroidery.^[1] Its origin dates back to the Achaemenid dynasty (some 25 centuries ago). It reached its zenith in the Safavid Dynasty. In this style of embroidery, gold and silver threads would be used to make decorating patterns on the surface of fabric; however, nowadays, almost entirely, threads twisted out of cheaper metals and alloys and metal like yarns have replaced gold and silver. The yarn used in patterning is springlike and elastic. Sermeh embroidery is the most popular in the cities of Isfahan, Yazd, Kashan.

Sermeh embroidery is used to create table clothes, flags, elaborately embroidered clothing, religious objects, curtains, and many household items. It is thought that clothing was commonly decorated in Sermeh embroidery during the Parthian-era.

Materials used for making Sermeh embroidery textiles can include Termeh cloth, silk, velvet, cotton fabrics and different types of threads.^[2][3] An embroidery hoop or frame to stretch the material while making the patterns are needed. Each single textile may have a variety of stitching techniques including chain stitches, twill stitches, round embroidery stitches, leaf embroidery stitches, spiral stitches, satin stitches, diagonal stitches, fastening stitches, zigzag stitches, mice teeth stitches, and stem embroidery stitches.^[2]

• The information in this article is based on that in its Persian equivalent.

v t e Embroidery
Styles	Assisi Bargello Berlin work Blackwork Broderie anglaise Broderie perse Candlewicking Counted-thread Crewel Cross-stitch Cutwork Darning Drawn thread work Goldwork Hardanger Hedebo Machine Needlepoint Quillwork Smocking Stumpwork Surface Suzani Whitework
Stitches	Backstitch Blanket Box Buttonhole Chain stitch Couching and laid work Cross stitches Embroidery stitch Featherstitch Holbein Parisian Running Satin stitch Sashiko Shisha Straight stitch Tent stitch
Tools and materials	Aida cloth Embroidery hoop Embroidery thread Evenweave Perforated paper Plainweave Plastic canvas Sampler Slip Yarn
Regional and historical	Art needlework Balochi Brazilian Bunka shishu Burmese Chikan Chinese Cantonese Sichuan Suzhou Xiang English Indian Islamic Jacobean Sashiko Kogin-zashi Bunka shishu Kaitag Kantha Kasuti Korean Macedonian Mountmellick Nakshi kantha Persian Rasht Sermeh Sistan Zardozi Opus Anglicanum Rushnyk Sewed muslin Ukrainian Vietnamese Vyshyvanka
Embroideries	Butler-Bowden Cope Bayeux Tapestry Bradford carpet Great Tapestry of Scotland Great Tapestry of Scotland: People's Panel Hastings Embroidery Hestia tapestry Magna Carta (An Embroidery) Margaret Layton's jacket New World Tapestry Overlord Embroidery Oxburgh Hangings Prestonpans Tapestry Quaker Tapestry Scottish Diaspora Tapestry Fragments of a Cope with the Seven Sacraments
Designers and embroiderers	Emilie Bach Leon Conrad Shahin Ebrahimzadeh-Pezeshki Kaffe Fassett Juanita Growing Thunder Fogarty Constance Howard Marilyn Leavitt-Imblum François Lesage Ann Macbeth May Morris Jessie Newbery Mahtab Norouzi Tetiana Protcheva Charles Germain de Saint Aubin Mary Elizabeth Turner Dimitri Vlachos - Castano Kathleen Whyte Erica Wilson Lily Yeats
Organizations and museums	Embroiderers' Guild (UK) Embroiderers' Guild of America Embroidery Software Protection Coalition Needlework Development Scheme Royal School of Needlework Wemyss School of Needlework Chung Young Yang Embroidery Museum Han Sang Soo Embroidery Museum
Related	Appliqué Crochet Knitting Lace Needlework Quilting