Kebaya

In the 1930s kebayas with extravagant sewing-machine embroidery and long tapered ends were commissioned by Peranakan women. These were more difficult to create than examples with lace, which could be simply sewn onto the edges of the kebaya. Fanciful lace-like effects, which may not have existed in real lace, were possible with the sewing machine. It was especially difficult to maintain the suppleness and fluidity of the fabric after it had been embroidered, as the technique would often stiffen the fabric.