Women from all over the whole empire have embroidered for the palace while the palace employed embroiders of its own. Among important Istanbul needleworks are those of Tepebaşı (silk theread embroidery on woolen fabric; thick silk threaded around with silver; a very fine work), Üsküdar (Selimiye) and Kumkapı.
But Bursa, once also a capital of the Ottomans and once produced the best silk materials in the world has given one of the finest examples of hand weaving and embroideries. It has astyle entirely of its own. The Bursa products now have their places

In the Grand Bazaar there is an arcade almost the size of a street called Yağlıkçılar. Years ago one could find here all sorts of fabrics or emroidery. Although not as much as those days, today one still finds shops here which carry their ancestors tradition.
Almost everone in Turkey has heard the word 'yağlık' but do not know exactly what it is.Yağlık is a Turkish word for pieces of hand woven silk, wool or cotton fabric larger than a handkerchief, finely embroidered on both edges.
The Ottoman Empire which lasted from the end of 13th Century

till the beginning of the 20th century have combined the cultures of three continents while Anatolia the center of this empire, being at the crossroads of all Silk Roads have synthesized the cultures of the East and the west has created new forms of arts. To this blend of cultures one can add the effects of immigrations from the north. Unfortunately, the 300 years of delay in the introduction of printing, very little written documentation is available on these masterpieces of art. Another reason for this lack of documentation and resulting lack of information is the humbleness of the creators of such arts coupled with their lack of interest in their art which they see as a routine. In short, the 'artist' is not aware of the value she has created or even if she does she has no interest in displaying her skills.
Among all the embroidery work done on fabrics perhaps the most laboursome is the so called needle work. Such laboursome work is usually done by young girls who have learned the skill from their elderlies and prepareng her dowry. The designs are embroidered on fabrics woven again by the same person who will emroider them, or leather or felt.
In embroidery the needle is used in varying techniques. The techniques of such works include Chinese, hesap, suzani, muşabbak, sarma, kanaviçe and Turkic. In the Turkic work the design can be seen on both sides of the fabric. In other words there is no front or back sides.
It is very difficult to tell when the term 'Turkish work' was first used. I personally think that this name was denoted by the Europeans. Back in 1986, during a visit to London a shopkeeper named a head cover as 'Turkish work'. It was a 'manyaluka from western Thrace. Manyalukas are pieces of fabric applied on woolen material using suzani technique.
I have to give you a word of warning at this point. Although the fineness, coloring and taste in the embroidery is very important, it is also essential that one should have a knowledge of the piece's origins and use. One has to be able to distinquish between a cradle spread and a shaving knee spread, or a turban tie and a scarf.
Just like in carpets and kilims, the Anatolian folk has created endless covers solely for their own needs. These spreads are covered with designs embroidere in accordance weth their traditions.Among the outstanding examples of such works are the Tartar aprons of Eskişehir, the embossed needle work of Bartın, Konya's frilled hesap works, Malatya's embroidered waist covers, Beypazarı and Kütahya works, Trabzon's fish back seam embroideries. Doubtless that many more such spreads or covers do exist in many other provinces.
But embroidery in Istanbul is a different story altogether. Istanbul being the capitol of the Ottoman Empire has brought together many folk from all over the world. The demand of the rdyal palace for such embroideries have led to a huge collection of various techniques.

in catalogues and museums. Words are not enough to describe a beautiful piece of embroidery. One has to touch them gently and view them as if they are paintings of masters in order to have an affection for them. There are even some such works in which one can find sadness, happiness and joy alltogether.