The Hmong are descendents of the Miao who migrated from Southwest China, chiefly the provinces of Yunnan and Guizhou (the term Hmong is used to refer to those Miao living outside China; within China they refer to themselves as Miao). Over the years they migrated and settled in the North of Thailand, and in Laos and Vietnam.

W idely used to decorate apron bands and other garments, reverse appliqué is a type of appliqué where the fabric that is eventually to show on the top is placed underneath the base fabric. The design/pattern is copied unto the top fabric and then the top fabric is cut so that it can be turned back to the design edges. Seam allowances are turned under and are stitched to the underneath fabric exposing the underneath fabric to view. More than one layer of fabric can be used. The "whirling designs" are traditional to the Hmong.