Category: Uncategorized

Know more about natural fiber

By adria salour November 8, 2022 No Comments

Maybe you have heard the term “natural fibers” a lot when buying clothes, towels or any other fabric. But you never knew exactly what materials these fibers are made of and why everyone says it is better to buy natural fiber clothes? Natural fibers are made from fibers taken from plants or animals. Examples of natural fibers include cotton (natural and all-cotton), silk, linen, and wool. On the other hand, synthetic fabrics are produced by humans through a chemical process called polymerization. Apart from economic considerations, the usefulness of fibers for commercial purposes is determined by properties such as length, strength, flexibility, elasticity, wear resistance, absorbency, and various surface properties.

Most textile fibers are narrow, flexible and relatively strong. They have a rubbery state and stretch when stretched and then fully return to their original shape. What is the history of using natural fibers? The use of natural fibers for textile materials began before the recorded date. The oldest indication of the use of fibers was probably the discovery of linen and woolen fabrics. Also, several plant fibers have been used by prehistoric people. Like hemp, which is probably one of the oldest cultivated fiber plants that originated in Southeast Asia and then spread to China. In China, reports of cultivation date back to 4500 BC. 

The art of weaving and spinning linen was well developed in Egypt by 3400 BC, indicating that linen was cultivated before that date. Reports of cotton spinning in India date back to 3000 BC. You may have guessed that the production of silk and silk products originates from the developed culture of China. Invention and development of silk making: As transportation and communication improved, indigenous skills and arts associated with textile production spread to other countries and were adapted to local needs and capabilities. New natural fiber plants were also discovered and over time, people started using them. 

Organic Blue Striped Top

Shop for natural fiber clothes and towels here:

Click here

In the 18th and 19th centuries, the Industrial Revolution led to the invention of more machines to process various natural fibers, which led to a tremendous increase in fiber production. The introduction of regenerated cellulosic fibers (fibers composed of cellulosic materials that have been dissolved, purified, and extruded) such as rayon, followed by the invention of fully synthetic fibers such as nylon, challenged the monopoly of natural fibers for textile and industrial use. Did you know that nettle is used as a base fiber source for textiles and is sometimes used in cosmetics? What are the properties of natural fibers? Increasing the use of natural materials in composites has led to the reduction of greenhouse gas emissions and the carbon footprint of composites.

Why is wearing natural fiber clothes good for health? As we said, to meet the growing demand for cloth, people started producing chemical synthetic products like nylon and polyester in factories. They became instantly popular due to their longevity and versatility. However, gradually, synthetic fabrics began to show their disadvantages. You probably experienced and know that most synthetic materials are not comfortable. Fabrics are not breathable and therefore the skin will not have the necessary comfort. During the summer, problems such as sweating, itching, etc. are very common in synthetic materials. They do not allow ventilation and therefore, body sweat does not evaporate. The moisture absorption capacity is also very weak for synthetic materials. 

Apart from this, people with sensitive skin always have problems with synthetic materials like nylon and polyester. These fabrics irritate their skin. Especially with age. They are excellent insulators: surprisingly, all natural fabrics have their own thermal regulation. When skiers are on the slopes, they use silk to control their body temperature. Fabrics such as wool, bamboo and silk absorb air between folds, bends and tiny holes. Therefore; The air trapped between the holes in the fabric creates warmth in the winter and cooling in the winter. At Roostatish, we offer a variety of natural fiber products to protect the environment and your skin in addition to supporting rural products.

Environmental, Handmade Art, Uncategorized , , , , , , , , , , , , ,

Traditional hand-woven towels

By adria salour November 1, 2022 No Comments

 

Traditional hand-woven towels are reminiscent of love, economy and cultural heritage.

Traditionally woven fabric is one of the diverse and acceptable handicrafts, which has been manifested in every part of Iran with its special design, color and texture. Woven fabric is a huge part of the cultural heritage of the past and is influenced by the environment, geography and history of each region.

The art of textile weaving has been relatively popular in South Khorasan province since the distant past, and silk weaving, towel weaving, canvas weaving, Chador weaving, and Kilim weaving are part of the local and original disciplines of the region in the traditional textile group. is included in a wide range of traditional woven fabrics, such as the art of weaving velvet towels which is one of the oldest handicrafts of South Khorasan, which dates back to the early centuries of Islam based on historical evidence in the province of Qahestan.

One of the types of traditional weaving, which is special to Khorasan and has been registered worldwide, is towel weaving, Towbafi or Toun weaving. The woven towel of Khorasan is common and known in almost all the villages of South Khorasan. Towbafi is the art of producing soft and delicate fabrics in various designs and colors.

The fabrics produced in this type of traditional weaving fabric, in which only hands and feet are used, are woven very fine cotton fabrics, and due to the high humidity that the final product absorbs, this art is also called towel weaving, which is used to produce hand and face towels.

Reviving, the art of repentance

 In the last few years, in various cities and villages of South Khorasan, there has been a firm determination to revive the art of towel weaving in this region. On the one hand, the first mille weaving house of South Khorasan was established in Tajour House of Khosef city and the first mille weaving cooperative company of the province was launched in Khosef city. On the other hand, entrepreneurs such as Fatemeh Zakarian, one of the women of Khorashad village, and after a tourist visit to the village looking for hand-woven towels from Birjand village, have started a multi-year effort that has led to the revival of the traditional art of weaving, which is at least 300 years old.

With the efforts of the elders and veterans who remembered the weaving method of the traditional fabric of their ancestors.

And the weaving of cloth weaving machines and combs that came from the warehouses of the village houses, little by little cloth weaving workshops were established, which led to the creation of a stable business for women. With the success of similar projects and the support of cultural heritage, traditional towel weaving has now flourished again in more than twenty villages of South Khorasan province and has become a help for the livelihood of rural households.

Did you know that you can purchase hand-woven towels from roostatish?

Click here to buy traditional towels

Woven with natural local cotton

Tobafi is made using local natural cotton with a brown color called Meleh. This cotton has an economic value almost three times that of white cotton, and its planting is carried out exclusively in Khosef city in South Khorasan province. In Khosef, about ten tons of cotton are harvested annually in seven hectares.

This city has been nationally registered as the city of millet and millet weaving due to its extensive activity and the high cultivated area of this type of cotton, and there are plans at the level of the city to provide the necessary infrastructure to increase its cultivation and also to protect this traditional process. It has been done.

Currently, the cultural heritage of Khosf city is looking for suitable places to grow Meleh cotton seeds, so that in addition to Majhan, Khor, Garjagan, and Khosf, other regions can also benefit from the production of this product. Because milled natural fiber cotton, such as white cotton, can be used in the weaving of all kinds of fabrics, all people who are skilled in weaving can use it as the raw material of their products, but this

Seed cotton has little availability and is considered a risky crop for farmers due to its sensitivity to weather and lack of insurance, that is why its cultivation has decreased over time.

Mele cotton has a long history in South Khorasan and is considered one of the heritage of South Khorasan. Mele natural fiber cotton is used to weave various products such as rugs, praying rugs and scarves. The inhabitants and natives of the Mele area consider cotton and everything woven from it to be auspicious. Mela cotton has a color similar to the soil in which it is planted, and it got its name from this soil, which is called Mel.

Due to the indigenous nature of the cotton planting and production process, it is not possible to sell Meleh cotton raw, and secondary products are produced exclusively in the South Khorasan region. Meleh cotton production stages include planting, growing and harvesting it like normal cotton, but it is not resistant to drought and cold, that is why annual crop insurance is necessary for farmers, otherwise a large part of their crop may be lost under the influence of climate change.

The stages of turning milled cotton into yarn

Millet cotton is turned into yarn in four steps, which are as follows:

First step: separating the cotton seed from the cotton husk with a hoe

Millet cotton fibers are shorter than white cotton, that’s why it cannot be tied with a bow.

The second step: smoothing the milled cotton with a cotton pad

Cotton grinding is done with a fork and on a wooden pillow.

The third step: turning milled cotton into yarn with a spinning wheel

The fourth step: turning the thread into a coil by the waknok.

Types of threads used in tobafi

Traditionally, in tobafi or tonabafi, cotton, silk, fluffy or corgi and cotton thread are used, but woolen thread, synthetic thread, acrylic thread, and cotton thread are also used in the process of weaving these beautiful and valuable handwovens. Silk fabrics in different colors, including purple, garlic and purple, and very finely woven, called Qanabiz and Vala, which are used in the traditional weaving of the region, are famous for making women’s clothes. Among the weaving areas of this type of cloth is Cherme district, one of the functions of Sarayan city.

Entrepreneurship and economic development by reviving the art of towel weaving

The weaving of traditional towels in South Khorasan is done with centuries-old originality and as in the past, with traditional two- or four-row machines and simple work tools, and is the art of village women. Earning income for the villagers whose economy and livelihood were endangered due to drought is the motivation to expand and grow the traditional weaving workshops. With the rise of this public determination and participation in national exhibitions, traditional woven fabric or tobafi came out of the village storehouse to be registered as a national art and craft.

Khorashad village is one of the functions of Birjand city, which, with the development of traditional textile weaving and the establishment of two cooperative companies with 520 members, high volume of production and participation in national and international exhibitions, was able to attract the attention of UNESCO’s evaluators for world registration. Currently, this village has 170 active workshops, several ecotourism residences, a bazaar selling handicrafts and rural furniture, which, in addition to creating a suitable and pleasant environment for tourists, helps the growth of the village’s economy and the recognition of its cultural heritage by attracting domestic and foreign tourists.

How to work in towel weaving

In order to weave the cloth by the ton weaving method, first the raw material of the weave, i.e. wool or fluff, is prepared and spun by hand. The spun threads are boiled and passed through flour to make it thicker. The cotton thread that is produced in this way is the primary material used in the weaving of this traditional fabric, which is woven as a weft on the side of the chela.

Traditional towel weaving is done in three stages. The method of work is that cotton threads are first prepared using a spinning wheel and a bobbin wheel, and then in an open space using a number of thin and equal-sized pieces of wood, skeeling is done, which is called “skeeling” in the local term.

All kinds of towel weaving products

Towels woven by the traditional weaving method, which is done entirely with weaving machines, for weaving all kinds of textiles with various uses, such as hand and face towels, bath towels, swimming pools, strainers, tablecloths or bread tables, nightshades, table napkins, handkerchiefs, headscarves, rugs. , clothes and other things are used.

With the help and support of the General Department of Cultural Heritage of South Khorasan, hand-woven towels of South Khorasan, which are very light and have excellent water absorption, are offered to pilgrims as Ihram clothes. This lightweight towel is perfect for traveling, especially in hot, dry climates.

All kinds of towel weaving products

Towels woven by the traditional weaving method, which is done entirely with weaving machines, for weaving all kinds of textiles with various uses, such as hand and face towels, bath towels, swimming pools, strainers, tablecloths or bread tables, nightshades, table napkins, handkerchiefs, headscarves, rugs. , clothes and other things are used.

With the help and support of the General Department of Cultural Heritage of South Khorasan, hand-woven towels of South Khorasan, which are very light and have excellent water absorption, are offered to pilgrims as Ihram clothes. This lightweight towel is perfect for traveling, especially in hot, dry climates.

The use of this traditional weaving method in the form of a new and efficient product and placing it in the luggage of pilgrims expands the market of this product and provides the possibility of pursuing extensive entrepreneurial economic plans in the region.

Towbafi products in international markets

One of the other pleasant events that became possible after continuous follow-up and efforts of the residents was the presentation of Birjand’s traditional handwoven fabric in international exhibitions and the attention of merchants to this product. For the first time at the Nowruz Handicraft Exhibition of Mashhad, Emirati merchants liked the softness and lightness and the unique traditional fabric of Tobafi and ordered fabric from the cooperative of this village.

The high quality of the product, the traditional texture, the unique work method, the use of vegetable dyes and completely natural textiles were the motivation of these businessmen to order. Ordering traditional cotton shawls, natural fiber towels, which were woven and dyed by hand in a completely traditional way, and sending them to Arab and even European countries, including Germany, Holland and France, has widened the Tobafi market.

Supporting as much as possible the cultural heritage organization of the province for the presence of artisans of South Khorasan in national and international exhibitions, providing loans, investing in education and marketing are the factors that should be taken into consideration for the growth of the traditional fabric and the art of weaving.

Finally, the successful supply of products such as hand-woven cotton towels that have lived in the country’s rich rural culture for years to be coordinated with the needs and demands of customers and bring the export of the culture and craftsmanship of Iranian artisans to the farthest corners of the world requires the determination of all and the cooperation of various organizations. It is to inspire other artists to revive the heritage of their ancestors and use it both to improve their livelihood and to introduce their culture to the world.

Handmade Art, History, Uncategorized , , , , , , , ,

Iranian Folk Dolls

By adria salour October 25, 2022 No Comments

Local dolls of Iran 

Native dolls; Dolls that keep our culture alive. Dolls have always been our companions. 

The date of the creation of the first doll goes back to the first years of the presence of humans on this earth. The first dolls were made using wood, mud, stone, etc. In ancient Rome and Greece, when girls grew up and reached an age where they no longer needed dolls, they were offered to the goddesses.

The history of dolls in Iran goes back to years before the arrival of Islam. But there is not much information about these dolls and toys. These dolls were delicate sculptures that looked like humans, and birds, which were made of clay, wood, and stone.

 Dolls are usually made of cloth and wood. Today, the making of dolls has become more widespread and more diverse tools are used to make them.

Native dolls are dolls that keep the culture, history and customs of a region alive. These dolls are made by people from different regions and each of them have stories which they carry in their hearts. Native dolls are made with the hands of women, girls, men and boys of the village where they were born. Native dolls can be considered as cultural ambassadors of each region, ambassadors that arise from the heart of that region and travel to other regions to convey a special message.

Each of these dolls is the narrator of their own story and legend, culture, customs, atmosphere of their society.

There are about 2500 traditional native dolls in Iran, each of which is made according to the customs and culture of each region.

While sewing these dolls, rural women hum their own poems and lullabies and by sewing these dolls. It’s as if the toys and dolls are infused with their special culture since the very beginning. 

Native Persian dolls, the intangible heritage of our land

Intangible cultural heritage refers to cultural products and processes that have been left over time and from past generations. In Iran, 16 works of our customs, performing arts, skills, knowledge and culture have been registered as intangible heritage. Native dolls are also part of this heritage.

So far, 15 native dolls have been registered as intangible national heritage, and explanations about each of them are provided below.

Dotuk dolls:

This doll, which is made in Tajmir village located in South Khorasan, was registered as one of the intangible national heritage in 2013. Dotuk doll is made of cloth, wood and other available ornaments. Dotuk is a symbol of a Baloch nomadic woman. A woman in an embroidered dress  and a colorful scarf. This doll was used as a symbol of rain in the distant past. (You can click here to buy this doll) In the rest of this article, we will introduce some native Iranian dolls.

Types of Iranian native dolls

 Dehtuluk doll:

Dehtuluk doll or Dekhtuluk is the name of a native doll in Hormozgan region. Dehtulok means little girl in the local dialect, and the women and mothers of Shib Daraz and Burke Khalaf villages remember learning how to make these dolls from their mothers. These dolls are made by wrapping several colors of fabric around a cotton ball. 

Leily Bazbazak doll:

Lily Bazbazak doll belongs to three provinces of Khorestan, Chaharmahal, Bakhtiari and Fars and is known by three different names in each of these three provinces. Leily, Leily Dasti, are some of the different names of this doll. This doll is known as the happiest native Iranian doll, because it dances in the hands of its owners by means of movable joints and threads attached to its hands.

Arusu doll: This doll is handmade by the women of Shahrbabak city and is made with the simplest materials. This doll is about 120 years old.

Bibi Keg Doll:

Bibi Keg may not be just a doll but a symbol of a religious belief. This doll, which is in the category of ritual dolls, is made by the Zoroastrians of Yazd. 30cm Bibi Keg wears traditional Zoroastrian clothing and is not made for play and entertainment.

Native dolls are usually narrators of stories and legends told by the people of a region. In the following, we mention some of these dolls, each of which was made to keep a legend alive:

Golnar doll:

Golnar doll, which is sewn by the women artists of Sarmran. This doll is the narrator of the legend of Golnar, a girl who is in love. (Click to buy the Gulnar doll. ) This doll is sewn according to the love story of Gulnar and Bahman and is a reminder of the beautiful love of these two Kermanj youths. Golnaar is also available as earrings and necklaces which you can buy here! 

Khadijeh doll: Khadijeh doll is sewn in memory of the lasting love of Khadijeh and Siamand. This doll is made in Sarmaran village of Esfrain. A village full of stories and beautiful native dolls. (Click to buy Khadijeh doll.) 

Khadijeh is also available as earrings and necklaces which you can buy here! 

Sometimes native dolls have a mission beyond keeping stories and legends alive. They are made to preserve a species and make us more aware of some rare and endangered animal species. Among these, the  Caspian seal doll can be considered as a clear example of this type of dolls.

Dolls that we recognize even without faces

Dolls usually have human or animal faces. Sometimes these faces are made natural and sometimes abstract. But in some provinces of the country, dolls are made which are known as faceless dolls. The makers of these dolls believe that the doll maker should not leave any of his appearance characteristics in the doll he makes. Aroosk is one of the examples of faceless dolls.

How to keep native dolls alive?

The answer to this question is very simple. These dolls, which have been passed down from generation to generation, must continue to exist. This continuation of life requires attention and capital. A capital that will be sometimes as material capital and sometimes as spiritual capital. Keeping these dolls alive will lead to keeping the culture and rituals of our ancestors alive. Therefore, by supporting rural women and helping them in their livelihood and encouraging them to make and supply these dolls, we can play a significant role in achieving this goal. Also, by giving these dolls as a gift to children, in addition to familiarizing them with the clothes, language and culture of different ethnic groups in Iran, it will also contribute significantly to the preservation and continuation of this native art.

click here to see our main page of handmade Iranian Folk dolls

Handmade Art, Product, Uncategorized , , , , , , , , , ,

The Different Types Of Persian Embroidery

By adria salour October 22, 2022 No Comments

Embroidery is one of the most original and beautiful Iranian arts. The variety of this art is so great that one can understand the authenticity and the region to which that embroidery belongs to, according to the use of colors and the type and method of sewing. It is stated in many books that embroidery is the art of decorating fabric with simple and colorful threads, and it has different types, among which are needlework, tapestry, patchwork,  coin embroidery, golabton embroidery, etc.

“Roudoozi” or “Roukaari” is an art in which various patterns are created on fabrics without patterns or patterns by sewing or pulling a part of the weft of the fabric.

Roudoozi is one of the ways of fabric decoration which is done by needle.

The type of pattern, the threads used in the embroidery and the density of the stitches can also indicate the social status of the wearer of that dress.

In general, it can be said that different embroidery designs have unique characteristics that express the culture, environment and customs of people in different regions.

How long has embroidery existed in Iran?

The art of embroidery is very old, so traces of this art can be seen in the works left from the Achaemenid period. These works show that Iranians were very interested in luxurious clothes and decorating fabrics; But the oldest embroidery in Jamande dates back to the Seljuk era.

The remarkable thing about the embroidery left over from different periods of Iran’s history is that in the Sassanid era, the patterns used on the embroidery are very similar to the patterns used on sculptures, plaster casts, metal containers, etc.

In the Ilkhanid period, the influence of Chinese people’s art on embroidery is very evident.

 

But as it is evident from the evidence, during the Timurid period, the country’s embroidery artists were forced to migrate and most of the people who were skilled in this art traveled to the city of Samarkand. This is why no artworks from this period have survived.

The peak of the art of embroidery in Iran was the Safavid era. The progress of this art in this period has been so much that no trace of the influence of Chinese art can be seen anymore.

Among the common types of embroidery in the Safavid era, we can mention glabton embroidery, landre embroidery, pattern embroidery, ten-one embroidery, sequin embroidery, tapestry embroidery, cocoon embroidery, sekme embroidery, flower embroidery, glass embroidery, vermilion embroidery, pearl embroidery, and bergamot embroidery.

This art continued in the Afsharia and Zandiyeh era with the same glory as the Safavid era, until during the Qajar era, embroidery reached all the regions of Iran. It was during the Qajar period that embroidery, Zoroastrian embroidery, cashmere embroidery, cream embroidery, ajideh embroidery, samosa embroidery reached their peak and patte embroidery made remarkable progress.

How many categories are day embroidery divided into?

According to the research, some researchers believe that embroidery is divided into three categories and others believe that it is divided into six categories.

According to some who divide this art into three categories, the types of embroidery are:

Embroidery that sews all over the fabric with thread to create a pattern on it. Examples of this type of embroidery include Baloch needlework, Rasht crochet and Kerman patte embroidery.

The embroidery in which the thread passes through the weft of the fabric and creates a mesh and color for it. One of the examples of this type of embroidery is Isfahan needlework.

The first category: elaborate embroidery, whose main background is hidden under colorful stitches. Bukhara embroidery, pattern embroidery, crochet embroidery, patte embroidery, series embroidery, Mamqan embroidery, Baloch embroidery and Kurdish embroidery are examples of embroidery that are included in this category.

The second category: embroidery that only a part of them is sewn and the rest of the work is filled with the background color. Silk embroidery, cream embroidery, braid embroidery and double embroidery are among these types of embroidery.

The third category: there are embroidery that is sewn in a special way. Examples of this type of embroidery are Isfahan needlework and net embroidery.

The fourth category: embroideries made with metal threads. such as: glabton embroidery, ten-one embroidery, keram embroidery, cash embroidery and tapestry embroidery

Embroidery tools

Different tools are used in different types of embroidery, and the types of fabric and thread are the common tools of all these embroidery. It is natural that the type of thread and fabric will be different depending on the type of embroidery.

The most important use of day embroidery:

Rudozis are used to decorate rugs, tablecloths, cushions, pillowcases, shoes, clothes, mattresses, car seats, etc. The artists of different fields of embroidery are usually women and they also use these arts for wall hangings and handkerchiefs.

 

Examining the motifs used in all kinds of embroidery

In general, the motifs used in all types of embroidery can be divided into four categories: natural motifs, plant motifs, geometric motifs and animal motifs.

Natural motifs: These motifs are motifs that are related to nature and are designed with inspiration from it. Patterns such as the sun, trees, birds and…

Plant motifs: It is no secret that flowers and plants have a special place in Iranian handicrafts. These motifs are usually motifs that are first imprinted in the artist’s mind and then depicted. They sit next to each other as symbols of nature and are completely abstract. Of course, sometimes they step into the valley of realism and display a role of flowers. Flowers that often include bushes, marigolds, four-leaf clovers, and evening primroses, etc.

Sometimes plants and flowers are sewn together with other decorative items and sometimes separately, but the interesting point is

They are usually embroidered next to each other in a certain order.

Animal motifs: these motifs are sometimes abstract and sometimes real. Patterns that are often designed based on the characteristics of animals and are only a symbol of them.

Animal motifs are usually placed next to other motifs such as plants and flowers. The most animals whose images are used in embroidery are deer and peacocks. All kinds of slime designs and plants are also used to decorate around these motifs.

Geometric patterns: Geometric patterns play a big role in traditional Iranian embroidery. The basic elements of these motifs are triangles, squares and rhombuses.

Geometric motifs that are usually used in the embroidery of Sistan and Baluchistan are: Edink, Ben Tas, Topkeg, Shida, Hurdel, etc.

Broken motifs: Broken motifs are patterns that consist of several straight and oblique lines. These motifs are among the most basic embroidery motifs.

Gardan motifs: These motifs became popular in Iran from the beginning of the 9th century AH. In these motifs, flowers, flowers and simple rotating branches are usually used. These motifs are also called tangerine.

Motifs: These motifs include a set of different motifs that are abstractly or realistically placed next to each other. Patterns are usually formed in rhomboid frames on the fabric surface.

 

Today, the art of embroidery can be seen in Europe, Africa, Oceania, North America and Latin America. However, these embroidery designs are completely different from Asian and Iranian types.

 with every purchase from Roostatish, you participate in a rural development project

Handmade Art, Uncategorized , , , , , , , , , , , ,

Everything related to Balochi needlework and its cultural identity

By adria salour October 11, 2022 No Comments

Balochi needlework is one of the most beautiful Iranian cultural arts, which is widely used among the people of Baluchistan, but unfortunately, there is no detailed history available regarding the history of this art, but some studies show that Balochi needlework was first developed by the “Ilkhani” tribe.

The art of needlework is very popular among Baloch women, and the people of Baluchistan consider this art as an expression of their culture and traditions. This method of embroidery is the most used method to decorate clothes, especially simple and local clothing. 

For example, on women’s clothing (mostly traditional Balochi dresses) , needlework is used in four parts. These parts include the top of the sleeves, the chest area, and the lower part of the chest, which is sewn vertically to the bottom of the dress, as well as the pockets (and in the clothes that also include pants, the lower part of the pants are also embroidered.) 

The beautiful art of Baloch needlework is one of the most authentic Iranian methods in the field of embroidery, and researchers have found similar works of this art in pre-Islamic petroglyphs and pottery. This shows how this form of art goes way back. 

What kind of stitches are used in Balochi needlework?

As we mentioned, needlework is one of the most common original arts of embroidery in Iranian handicrafts, decorating fabric using regular geometric shapes derived from natural elements is the main feature of needlework that has made it popular. But in relation to Balochi needlework, it can be said that the type of stitching in each region of Sistan and Baluchistan province has differences from each other and in each region a special name has been chosen for the type of stitching.

In general, two types of sewing are very common among the people of Baluchistan.

The role and place of needlework among Baloch people

Always Wearing the traditional Balochi clothes is a certain norm among the Baloch people. 

So needlework in traditional clothes can be considered a part of the culture of this province, the symbols sewn in traditional clothes can be considered ethnic belonging. 

It is interesting to know that the art of needlework is also popular among the Baloch people of Pakistan, Afghanistan and Turkmenistan.

Tools used for needlework

Needlework is an art in which the artist can create with just a few simple tools. Of course, let’s not forget the sufficient skill and hard work and persistence that goes into it. 

The working tools in this industry are:

1- needle

2- Thimble

3- Scissors

The needle or “Suchen” (in Balochi language is called Suchen or Sichen) is the main tool, the size of the needle can be changed depending on the type of sewing and the desired fabric. 

Raw materials needed in needlework:

Regarding needlework, you probably can guess that thread and fabric are the main raw materials that are needed. The important thing about these raw materials is that in this art, colors are limited and you are only allowed to use six colors.

The use of these colors has a special order and there are rules that the artist must follow. 

The colors used in fabric are:

Burgundy or maroon, red, orange, black, white, green and blue. 

The colors of “Suchen Duzi” (needlework)  threads:

1- Seven-color thread (this type of thread originally contains 6 colors)

2- two-color yarn (brown and red yarn)

3- Use of single color thread (white, black or brown)

The threads used in this art are usually silk threads, because these threads are of better quality and give a better effect to the sewing pattern. 

Types of work in Balochi needlework

In Balochi needlework, sewing is usually done in two ways, this sewing can include a heavier type of work or small work. The former’s stitches are said to be a type of needlework that has a high level of delicacy, and basically, these types of stitches are very time-consuming and require a lot of effort, because the motifs in the elaborate designs are very small and delicate; In contrast to smaller designs and micro-stitches, which is a type of stitch that the embroiderer takes less time to do, because in these designs, large patterns are used. Clothes and items that have the heavier type of stitching usually have a much higher price.

Application of Balochi needlework

In general, we know that Balochi needlework is used to decorate all kinds of artistic products that are cloth in Balochistan, but without a doubt, the main use of Balochi needlework that has been popular since the past is to decorate Balochi women’s clothes, especially traditional clothes. This stitch is also used to decorate cloth tablecloths, curtains, rugs and needlework cushions and even some jewelry. It is interesting to know that nowadays needlework pieces are used in sewing some formal clothing like coats and even different bags.

The most important and impressive feature in Balochi needlework are the patterns. The generality of these designs are the same in all decorations, but Baloch women can make changes in them based on their taste and experience.

 

The types of patterns in needlework are:

Geometric patterns:

Geometric patterns are one of the most widely used motifs in needlework, geometric patterns can be very diverse due to their characteristics, the use of proportions in geometric shapes such as triangles, rhombuses, squares, and other shapes.

Animal motifs:

In embroidery, animal patterns are divided into realistic patterns and abstract patterns. Abstract animal motifs are usually derived from the characteristics of animals that exist in Baluchistan; For example, the camel tail design is one of the most widely used needlework patterns.

But the realistic animal motifs refers to the design of the specific look of animals, the use of these designs in needlework is very rare, unlike abstract animal motifs, and these motifs are usually used to create other arts such as rugs and carpets.

Plant patterns:

Plant motifs are basically the transformation of realistic flowers into a symbolic appearance, the existence of high diversity in flowers is the reason for using these symbols in needlework. Women use their creativity to create plant patterns. 

Plant patterns are mostly abstract designs that are created by maintaining geometric features.

Human patterns: 

These patterns are also very abstract and they don’t necessarily look like a human, but have similar characteristics and are a product of very creative minds. 

As we said, needlework production has expanded and is not only limited to the traditional clothes of Baluchistan, nowadays artists in handicrafts use this art to create other works such as bedspreads, rugs, tablecloths, curtains, ties, bags and even shoes.

you can purchase all kinds of Balochi needlework handmade by th women of Baluchistan at https://roostatish.com/

You can also click on the links bellow to read about: 

Handmade Art, Uncategorized , , , , , , , , , , , ,