Embroidery in Pałuki, as in other ethnographic regions, was originally a decoration of traditional clothing. It appeared only on parts of women’s clothing. The oldest preserved elements of this costume come from the second half of the 19th century, i.e. from the period of its intensive development. Decorated with embroidery were: bonnets, ruffs, collars and shirt cuffs, white and red petticoats and aprons. Elements of men’s clothing were never decorated with embroidery.

Pałuki embroidery is embroidery with white thread on white and striped fabric. One exception to this rule is embroidery on red petticoats done with black thread. All embroidered motifs creating Pałuki patterns are always of the flowery or plant type.

The most characteristic elements of the Pałuki costume are tulle bonnets with embroidered bands, i.e. headwear for married women. Until 1918, the costume, especially a bonnet, was worn every Sunday and holiday when going to church and for family celebrations. Thanks to this, bonnets are the element of clothing that has survived the longest. They were even worn with city street clothing until the end of the 1960s. The bonnets preserved in museum collections are a treasury of Pałuki motifs and patterns.

Nowadays, the Pałuki costume is used only as festive clothing during religious, local and state ceremonies.  It is also worn by members of folklore groups and folk artists. After 1945, traditional Pałuki motifs and patterns were transferred to modern products – tablecloths, table runners, napkins and bed linen. Currently, Pałuki embroidery is considered an independent branch of folk art, and embroidery skills are an important part of the intangible cultural heritage of Pałuki.

The Pałuki Folk Art competition, organized by the Cultural Center in Szubin since 1963, plays an important role in promoting embroidery, supporting and educating its adepts. In the period of 60 years, more than 150 embroiderers have participated in it. It is also the oldest folk art competition in Poland.

The oldest objects related to Pałuki embroidery, mainly bonnets, can be found in the collections of: Maria Znamierowska-Prüffer Ethnographic Museum in Toruń,  Municipal Cultural Center and Library named after Klara Prillowa in Kcynia (former Pałuki Museum Chamber in Kcynia), also in the Pałuki Land Museum in Żnin and the Regional Museum in Wągrowiec.