Thursday, October 13, 2011

treasures at madrinha's

We got to visit Dh's godmother this weekend. There is always something to be learned, good food to be et, and hand crafted treasures to be looked at.
Here is a typical Portuguese style embroidered bag. it is just so bright, consistent and beautiful.

notice the inside of the heart? You achieve that effect by separating the threads in the weave of the linen and sewing them in this pattern. You don't cut any threads, as it would compromise the fabric. Instead, you pull them to create the holes. Incredible. I'm still in awe of it.

And here is a little hanging that was on the wall. I love the details from the direction of the threads to get the creases in the clothes to the french knots in the boy's top to add texture. I could look at this all day.

you can click on the pictures for a larger, somewhat blurrier view.

thanks for looking,
Amanda

2 comments:

Hinterland Mama said...

I can understand your admiration of these treasures perfectly! Isn't embroidery in itself, such an amazing medium? We can learn so much from those who perfected this art all those years ago. Before any of us were even thought of. I am so happy that hand-crafts are becoming popular again, the world over. Wouldn't it be such a travesty if these techniques were lost!
Thank you for sharing.
Aleta ღ

Cheryl said...

I've sewn pulled threads around the edge of napkins/serviettes for decoration, before, but that is just a single line of holes. I've not seen a decorative piece like the centre of the heart before. Thanks for sharing. Always something else to learn and inspire!