Tshemzo
Tailoring, embroidery and appliqué Arts
Tshemzo or the art of tailoring comprises three categories: Tshemdrup, the art of embroidery; Lhemdrup, the art of appliqué, and Tsholham, the art of traditional boot-making. The art of embroidery and applique are commonly practiced to create religious scrolls such as Thangkas and Thongdroels. Tsholam, is the craft of making knee-length traditional boots decorated with intricate designs to be worn by officials on important occasions and during religious events. Commoners use leather and cloth to fashion simple boots from uncured leather, while senior officials and people of noble rank can use boots decorated with especially colored silk and brocade pieces denoting their rank. The king wears gold brocade on his boots and is the only person who can have embroidered dragons on them. Finally, Tshemzo is the sewing of the traditional Bhutanese garments, the knee-length gho for men and the floor length kira for women, as well as jackets and accessories to wear with the main garments.