Embroidered shirts (vyshyvanka)

Women's embroidered shirt: how to buy a ready one or order one made well

Updated 20 October 2026

Hand or machine embroidery

Technique affects the price the most. Hand embroidery such as cross-stitch, satin stitch or shadow work takes days of work, while machine embroidery is done quickly and costs less. Beads add to the cost, and designs with dense filling use a lot of thread.

So in your request say right away whether handwork matters to you. The seller doesn't always say so in the description, and in photos the difference isn't obvious at once: the reverse side of hand embroidery is neat, without long runs of thread.

What to put in your request

• Type of item – shirt, tunic, dress, blouse; for a woman or a girl.
• Embroidery technique – hand or machine, cross-stitch, satin stitch, beadwork, white-on-white openwork.
• Motif – the regional or traditional style, thread colour, white on white or colourful.
• Fabric – linen, cotton, hand-woven cloth, voile, chiffon.
• Size – S/M/L, bust measurement and length, or the child's age.
• Ready-made or made to order – tailoring to measurements.
• Condition – new or second-hand.
• Budget.

Example: “I need a women's embroidered shirt in cotton, hand-done white-on-white openwork, size M. Sharjah, needed by the end of the month. Budget up to AED 180.”

Ready-made or tailored to measurements

A ready-made embroidered shirt will come faster, but its size is fixed. If your measurements are non-standard, tailoring to order is usually more convenient. For it you need to know your bust, waist and hip measurements and the length of the item and sleeve, and agree on timing and an advance payment.

Linen can shrink a little after washing, so ask whether the fabric has been pre-washed. For children's clothes it is better to take softer cotton.

The motif matters

Every region has its own tradition: some styles are delicate, usually in white thread on light fabric, others are bright and richly coloured, and others are made of simple running stitches. If the shirt is needed for a particular event or a photo shoot, name the region. Embroidery on the sleeves, the neckline and the front panel works differently, so add an example photo.

How to compare offers

Check the fabric content, the density of the embroidery and whether there is a lining at the neckline. Ask for close-up photos so you can see the stitches. For handmade items, ask who exactly did the embroidery and how long it will take.

How it works on BlaBlaPrice

You write one request, and craftspeople and sellers send offers in the chat: price, timing, photos of their work. They see their place among the others and improve their terms. The site shows the offer that gives the best value first, reviews of the seller are visible next to it, and contacts are opened only to the one you choose. More details are on the “How it works” page.

For a full look, see blouses and shirts or skirts.