Large embroidered pieces from rural Transylvania

Some large embroidered panels from the Kalotaszeg ( Calatea) region of Transylvania, Romania

Wire decorated miners bottles from Hungary

I have been collecting these colourful bottles from Flea markets in Hungary for years and now have a large collection. I love the variety of patterns,

Writing the stitch, stitching the writing

I have been working with Sara of Tarnat-Kalotaszeg-Durabil- to produce some embroidered cushions based on patterns and techniques traditional to this area of Romania

The embroidery was done by Bodis Ilonka an experienced and talented embroiderer  living in the Kalotaszeg, a region in Western Romania renowned for its folk heritage.

                                                        Ilonka in her village

This type of embroidery is know locally as "writing stitch" The pattern is first drawn or "written" onto the cloth by the "writing woman" Most villages had one and a few exist today. Ilonka learnt to draw the writing in the 1960s from her then mother in law.

These  patterns come from a compilation of  over 200 patterns drawn by women in the Kalotaszeg and complied by Sinko Kallo Katalin.

                                    

Dancing Skirts

 Wonderful procession and presentation in Budapest this weekend " without borders"   featuring traditional folk costumes of the Carpathian Basin

Vintage European Hemp and Linen Grainsacks

Vintage grain sack fabric has become increasingly sought after in recent years and for good reason. These sacks were woven in communities in rural Europe. The sacks that I source and sell come from Hungary and surrounding countries. These fabrics were woven  prior to world  war 2. The fibres were grown and harvested then processed by peasant families. It was a lengthy process, after harvesting the hemp fibres were soaked in water ( a nearby river, lake or pond )for 6 weeks before the fibres were broken u and then spun before weaving.

These homespun, home-woven fabrics are beautiful, sturdy and characterful.  These fabrics most often have a red or blue stripe,  less common are brown, black, purple and grey. The stripes indicated to the mill the owners of the grain bought for milling. Sometimes embroidered monograms were also added

You can see how some of these fabrics have been used on my pinterest here

#vintagegrainsacks #vintagelinen #hungarianlinen #homespun #vintagehemp #grainsacks #parna

Sack sale

We are moving warehouse in mid April and trying to lessen the load. We are offering a 20% discount on all grainsacks, grain sack cushions and fillers purchased with cushion covers. To claim your discount enter the code sacksale at the checkoutwww.parna.co.uk

Slovakian Indigo dye

These photos were taken at an exhibition of Slovakia blue dye at ULUV in Kosice, Slovakia September 2017

                                                     early 20th century bodice and skirt

                                                              indigo dyed bodice

                                                               traditional printing block

                                                traditional patterns in regions of Slovakia