Sunday 27 April 2008

The tent makers of Cairo

I went to a talk this week, by Barbara Chainey on "The tent makers of Cairo". Barbara told a tale of the tent makers of Cairo, how she had discovered the street of the tent makers which is off the main tourist routes, but is one of Egypts real treasures, continuing a tradition of applique that has been going for 4000 years. For an hour and a half she held up pieces of work that were once designed to make a suradeq - a huge tented pavillion for ceremonial use, but now are sold for the tourist trade. Each time she held something up she joked "you won't like it" and lovingly smelt and stroked each piece, and every so often she smiled and said "they're mine" or "I've counted them!", it was fascinating to see someone show off with such pride the work of others, that she has lovingly collected over the last 16 years. She told of how each piece is sewn by hand, how there are no templates, only a paper pattern that is pricked with a needle and then charcoal or chalk are used to create a guide on the backing fabric, and then the colour fabrics are appliqued on, free hand, each piece is needle turned, and the stitches are TINY! As the children (only the boys) gain experience the patterns get more complex, until the master stitches create patterns as complex as anything you can possibly imagine.

















(photo from 1worldtours.com)

you can see some more pictures here and here



I never really wanted to go to Egypt, I might have changed my mind....

12 comments:

  1. Oh wow! Great post - sounds amazing! Changed my mind about Egypt too :D

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  2. I'm always in awe of tiny stitches...

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  3. Egypt never appealed to me, and I think I may definitely have to give it a miss now - the work that goes into those pieces makes my sewing seem poor in comparison!!
    Cathy X

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  4. Those are stunning. I find tiny even stitches very very hard - need more practice!

    Thank you so much for the package you sent to me - I have plans for a special bag to out the brooch on (well, it would be rude not to), and the coaster was an unexpected and gorgeous extra. Your packaging is exquisite!

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  5. That is amazing! I love it!

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  6. Oooh that bought back some memories. I bought a beautiful applique bedspread from Egypt about 15 years ago and it is often admired by visitors. It is one of my most treasured possessions! Thanks for sharing.

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  7. This had changed my mind too--LOL! Wonderful! Happy Day ((HUGS))

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  8. Wow, those are beautiful! I doubt I'll ever have the chance to go to Egypt, but I sure wish I could... and sit next to some of them while they're stitching!

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  9. Incredible craftsmanship and the colours and so beautiful - especially in the one on your post. I would love to go to Egypt..don't know how I'd cope with the heat and crowds though {and of course the cost!} Gx

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  10. Thats amazing. I wonder why its a tradition just passed down to men... looks like they are good for something after all- chuckle
    Lisa

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