Embroider a Tulang Belut
“Tulang Belut” is a Malaysian embroidery that is often used decoratively and also to strengthen the neckline of the traditional Malaysian outfit, the Baju Kurung. It is not as commonly used as before and those who know how to embroider this were likely taught by their mother or grandmother. In my case, my mother first taught me as a teenager and I had a refresher course recently again! It is definitely very intricate and requires a lot of patience.
Literally translated the “Tulang Belut” means the bones of an eel. I admit it does look somewhat like it!
The “tulang belut” is generally embroidered using a single or double polyester thread. My mother informs me that when she was a girl they used to spend hours doing it . Embroidering using the single thread is a far greater challenge . The finer it is in appearance the better. I’m not sure how I did it as a teenager but I was honestly getting “cross-eyed” attempting to do it at this age. I ended up picking it all out and embroidering it using the embroidery thread!
I felt I was cheating a bit using the much thicker embroidery thread but I was adamant to do it. I also justified my choice as the baju kurung was for my 12 year old daughter, and I think its ok since its for kids !
I have included 2 videos of me embroidering. The first is on time-lapse on my daughter’s actual baju kurung and the next one is the actual step by step instructions on how to do it.
The great thing about teaching using the embroidery thread is that you can actually see the steps clearly. Enjoy!
Steps
Knot the thread and begin by going in between and to the back fabric, pulling the thread from behind, hiding the knot in between the fabrics.
Sew 3 times with an overstitch. Please make sure that it is at an angle, as close to the edge as possible and not too close together.
Point the needle vertically downwards through the second or middle thread. This is facing the front .
Push the end of the thread backwards.
Pick the first thread at an angle to the left from below the thread. Continue pulling at this angle ensuring the rest of the thread is following from the right side.
Push the needle through the exact position where the middle or second thread goes into the fabric.
Pull the thread completely from the opposite side (or back).
Sew another overstitch. This will now be the new third stitch.
Repeat by pointing the needle vertically downwards again through the stitch or thread next to it , which is now the new middle or second stitch.
Push the end of the thread backwards again. This step is especially important from now as it helps you see the new first stitch or thread better as now you have a few threads intertwining together. A clue is that this new first thread is the one at an angle.
As before , pick the first thread at an angle to the left from below the thread and continue pulling at this angle.
Push the needle into the new middle or second stitch and sew another overstitch.
Repeat the whole process again.
Every time you reach this step you will have a new first , second and third stitches. Repeat these steps until you have completed the whole neckline of the baju kurung.
