"Black stands for the earth and dignity. Red symbolizes fire and life. Yellow signifies sunshine and harvest," she explains.

According to Chen Xiaomei, a cultural researcher in Mabian, the region's Yi embroidery dates back nearly 2,000 years, a period when local Yi chieftains engaged in flourishing cultural exchanges with the Han and other ethnic groups.

By the Tang (618-907) and Song (960-1279) dynasties, the Yi people's clothing already showcased distinct regional features and class differences, Chen notes.

"One of the most distinctive features of Mabian Yi embroidery is its technique. The coiled stitch — using two needles simultaneously, one winding the thread, the other anchoring it — creates a raised, sculptural effect," she explains.

The lock stitch, varying in length and the angle of the "lock", produces different textures, giving Mabian embroidery a unique place among China's rich textile traditions, she adds.

Traditional pieces include the flame-patterned apron, symbolizing fire worship; the goat-horn-patterned cape, carrying wishes for good fortune; and the azalea garment, inspired by nature worship.

As a child, Qiaojin learned to stitch from her mother, as all Yi girls did. Her ambition was simple then: to embroider her own wedding dress one day.