Archive | August, 2021

More photos from the amazing Tentmakers of Cairo exhibit.

If you look closely at this detail shot, I think you can see that the design is appliqued. The stitches are very shallow so they don’t even show on the back of the background fabric, (the white/cream canvas.) There’s no batting or added backing fabric, but still the stitches don’t show through the canvas.

Many of the designs are inspired by historical motifs. However, more contemporary images are also used.

Embroidery is sometimes added. This is often done by wives and sisters, at home.

At one time such wall hangings would have been used to decorate the inside of royal tents and outdoor settings. Today, in Egypt, they’re used mostly for important ceremonial events, such as weddings and funerals. But, they’re also sold in the West as home decor.

If you ever get a chance to see this work in person, I think you’ll enjoy doing so!

Ellen Lindner

Perhaps you’ve heard of the Tentmakers of Cairo. They’re a group of men who have shops in the historic part of Cairo, where they make and sell stitched wall hangings. And they’re AMAZING!

One of my favorites

A detail shot.

See what I mean? I recently got to see an exhibit of these pieces at the Dunedin Fine Arts Center, in Florida.

Each wall hanging is made by one man and is unique. The men work 6 days a week, for 10-11 hours each day, seated in a sort of semi cross-legged position.

 The largest pieces (which are smaller than bed quilts) take about 4 months to complete! But only cost around $1000!

We got to see a demonstration of how they work and they are SO SPEEDY, with that needle turn applique!
See this video to get an idea.

The exhibit has closed now, but I’ll have some more great photos for you in the next post.

Ellen Lindner