SANDU, July 6, 2019 (Xinhua) -- Unlike many other embroidery styles, the horse tail embroidery of the Shui people in southwest China is characterized by prefabricated sewing threads made up of horse tail fibers which are wound around with silk yarns.

Using these unique prefabricated threads, embroiderers start their needlework by outlining sketches on fabrics.

The sophisticated procedures of the horse tail embroidery make it an acclaimed traditional art, which is also recognized as a national intangible cultural heritage.

Wei Taohua, an embroiderer of the Shui ethnic group, draws needlework sketches for the traditional horse tail embroidery in Sandu Shui Autonomous County, southwest China's Guizhou Province, July 6, 2019. (Xinhua/Ou Dongqu)

Wei Taohua is pictured in this inverted image while drawing needlework sketches for the traditional horse tail embroidery. (Xinhua/Ou Dongqu)

Wei Taohua shows her horse tail embroidery works. (Xinhua/Ou Dongqu)

Wei Taohua works on a piece of horse tail embroidery. (Xinhua/Ou Dongqu)

Wei Taohua makes sewing threads for the traditional horse tail embroidery with horse tail fibers and silk yarns. (Xinhua/Ou Dongqu)

Wei Taohua picks horse tail fibers to make sewing threads for the traditional horse tail embroidery. (Xinhua/Ou Dongqu)

Wei Taohua shows a piece of finished horse tail embroidery. (Xinhua/Ou Dongqu)

Wei Taohua makes sewing threads for the traditional horse tail embroidery with horse tail fibers and silk yarns. (Xinhua/Ou Dongqu)

Wei Taohua works on a piece of horse tail embroidery. (Xinhua/Ou Dongqu)

Wei Taohua examines a piece of finished horse tail embroidery. (Xinhua/Ou Dongqu)