At the end of the 19th century on the territory of modern Chkalovsk district there developed a peculiar kind of embroidery on a net with large cells that were made by means of pulling out longitudinal and transversal threads of linen. Such embroidery was given the name of “guipure”.

Due to its transparency and softness it resembles lace. The main elements of the pattern typical of Nizhny Novgorod guipure are rhombs called “flowers” by embroideresses. There are more than 50 types of stitches that fill the “flowers”. That time the embroidery became a handicraft, and all women of the villages were sitting at the lace-frames from early morning to late night. The embroideresses organized their artels. One of the first artels – “Katunki Trade Artel for Linen Embroidery”.

1960 became the turning-point in the history of craft artels: they got the status of state enterprises. On the basis of the united artel Chkalovsk Embroidery Factory was founded, which in 1998 was reorganized into Guipur JSC. The company produces sets of linen and tablecloths, strips of carpets, napkins, skirts, blouses and dressing gowns of ecologically clean flax and cotton with artistic embroidery.

At the plant a show room has been opened with the total space of 150 square meters. There the visitors see the fairy-tale hand-made world of Nizhny Novgorod guipure, get acquainted to the history of the craft, admire the products of the artels of the middle of the 20th century and exhibits of various exhibitions made by embroideresses and artists of different generations.