Natural Weaving Workshop
Weaving
Abstract: Thanks to the use of horizontal loom, our weaving workshop offers a glimpse into the grace and delicacy of the weaving techinques of Sardinia, more preciously of the Sarcidano.
The art of weaving is found all over the world, some historians proclaim that it wasn’t humanity to invent weaving but actually it was weaving that brought humanity to life, with its difference in respect to other animal forms.
Even today, after two centuries of the industrial revolution, many people are still attracted to the art of weaving and to continue the techniques and knowledge of manual weaving. Depending on the part of Sardinia, from town to town and zone to zone, methods and types of looms change, in fact Sardinia’s weath of weaving tradition gives home to such a rich difference in weaving styles and manufacts. Even if it’s true that in the past fifty years, there has been a serious decline in this art, which before was common among women, it continues to stay alive and my workshop intends to do this very thing, keep this art alive and share with others, its archetypes contained in the motives that we use in weaving.
The workshop of traditional weaving that we offer at the Country Living School, demonstrates the typical weaving styles of the Sarcidano, in particular of my town, Isili. Isili is a small town of 3000 inhabitants and here the women took what was once a domestic labor and transformed into a thriving business around the 1900s who were able to commercialize their products thanks to the coppersmiths who travelled the island and beyond selling their wares and would sell Isili’s famous rugs as well and here the fame grew.
We use a loom that is horizontal with 2 licci and the techniques that we use is called fressada o un’in dente swhich is obtained by passing the shuttle long the weft, hiting with force, thus tucking it inside where it remains practically hidden.
The workshop of traditional weaving can vary in length according to ones interest and needs. We suggest a weekend stay at CLS. The materials used are warp in cotone and the thread in sheep’s wool. We provide that matierals that you will need and you get to take with you whatever rugs you create.
In addition, for whoever is interested in discovering more about the world of weaving, its possible to organize a guided tour to the Marate museum in Isili and visit the workshop of one of the last remaining weaving artists in town. We are happy to be your guide and translator throughour the experience. For more information and book your workshop click here.
