Hair Embroidery

Hair embroidery has its origins from China. As the name indicates, it refers to embroidery where human hair is used as a thread instead of other materials. Since Chinese people generally have black hair, embroidery is also called "Moxiu" (black embroidery).

Hair embroidery generally falls into two categories: monochrome hair-embroidery and colored hair-embroidery. Unlike monochrome hair embroidery, where the color is limited to black, in colored hair embroidery, others, such as blonde, amber, auburn, white and grey of various shades, collected from people of different races, are also used.

I believe that it needs much effort and special skills to complete a piece of hair embroidery. A quick search on the internet revealed sites that sell and buy human hair to be used in hair embroidery. However, I couldn't find how much it costs. So, have you ever tried hair embroidery?

KP

Lacemaking in Croatia

Some time ago I posted here about the inscription of Cyprus Lefkara lace on UNESCO's Representative List of the Intangible Cultural Heritage of Humanity. Croatia is another country whose lace also inscribed in this list. The video that follows describes lacemaking in Croatia.

At least three distinct traditions of Lacemaking in Croatia persist today, centred on the towns of Pag on the Adriatic, Lepoglava in northern Croatia and Hvar on the Dalmatian island of the same name.

Pag needle-point lace was originally used to make ecclesiastical garments, tablecloths and ornaments for clothing. The process involves embellishing a spider web pattern with geometrical motifs and is transmitted today by older women who offer year-long courses.

Lepoglava bobbin lace is made by braiding thread wound on spindles, or bobbins; it is often used to make lace ribbons for folk costumes or is sold at village fairs. An International Lace Festival in Lepoglava celebrates the art every year.

Aloe lace is made in Croatia only by Benedictine nuns in the town of Hvar. Thin, white threads are obtained from the core of fresh aloe leaves and woven into a net or other pattern on a cardboard background. The resulting pieces are a symbol of Hvar. 

Each variety of lace has long been created by rural women as a source of additional income and has left a permanent mark on the culture of its region. The craft both produces an important component of traditional clothes and is itself testimony to a living cultural tradition.

KP

Sources:

Ministry of Culture of Croatia

UNESCO - Intangible Heritage

Favorite Blog: Hand Embroidery from Sadalas....

I recently become a follower of the blog of Lakshmi Sadala, called "Hand Embroidery from Sadalas....".

Lakshmi is an Indian lady and in her blog she has many video tutorials created by her showing traditional indian embroidery stitches and embroidery in general. I really like indian embroidery and the blog has plenty of useful information.

Image taken from a Lakshimi's video showing the indian version of long and short stitch.

For anyone interested it is a good embroidery source! You can visit it here.

KP

Encyclopedia of Needlework by Thérèse de Dillmont

I discovered a comprehensive book on needlework that contains both verbal and pictorial descriptions of everything included under the name of needlework and is free online for everyone to read. The book is called "The Encyclopedia of Needlework" by Thérèse de Dillmont (1846-1890). It was published in 1884, and is considered a classic reference book one can turn to for time-tested information. 

It consists of sixteen chapters that include Sewing, Mending, Single and Cut Open Work, Net and Damask Stitches, White Embroidery, Flat and Gold Stitch Embroidery, Tapestry and Line Embroidery, Knitting, Crochet, Tatting, Netting, Irish Lace, Laces of Different Kinds, Miscellaneous Fancy Work, and Practical Directions.

The Encyclopedia of Needlework is presented here in it's entirety.

KP

My needlelace stars

 

These handmade accessories look like stars and they are my latest additions to the shop. They are made of a dark gold lace tape, close-stitched together with gold thread. Again two needle-lace creations! They can be blind-stitched on any garment, like a pair of jeans, a blouse, a jacket, a scarf, or a hat and a purse, to give it a fresh look. They can be used as coasters, or be framed and hanged on a wall, even glued on a card or lampshade! 

I hope you liked my lace stars! Any more ideas on how else they can be used are welcome!

KP

Summer is over...

Hello everyone!

I am back from my vacations to Kos island. The island is beautiful and we had a great time. We visited many archaeological monuments that are scattered all over the island,  castles, ancient temples, old theatres and the Ancient Market.  Over time Romans, Byzantines, Ottomans and Italians have passed through the island leaving their marks on it.

Kos is the birthplace of Hippocrates, the father of medicine. We saw the Tree under which he used to teach. It still stands in the centre of the town, being the oldest tree in Europe and one of the oldest worldwide (more than 2000 years old). The Asklepieion is undoubtedly the most important monument that we visited, the oldest and most famous centre of healing in the ancient world. 

I should not forget to mention all the beautiful sandy beaches that we visited!  

That's it. Kos island is one of my best places to be!

KP