Home again!
We are home and happy to be here. I have discovered that three weeks from home is about all I can handle! On Weavetech somewhere in August or September Esther BRoude asked about weaving in Portugal. There was one response mentioning the tapestries and rugs made in Arraiolos ane of course I had to go and see! The tapestries are embroidered and there is quite a history attached to them. This link will tell much more than I could: http://www.fridayvalentine.com/rafaella/arraiolos.html There are many websites that will show some of the original or classic designs. Only three stitches are used in the embroidery and I thought that only few colours were used in the rugs, but I can't find that information anywhere. It was fascinating to see the fringes that are sewn onto the tapestries being made - the second picture just shows a corner of the fringe maker.
Below are two pictures of the two women who still do the embroidery:
