Weavers of Albania
For many years now, we often go to the island of Corfu for a few weeks in the fall. As we sit in the evenings on our balcony, we look across the water at Albania. We have watched the growth of the coastline. When we first went, only a few lights from houses along the shore could be seen. Over the years, the view has changed, with development growing up the mountainside. I have often wondered what was happening. This fall I am thinking of venturing across to Albania to see what is going on in the world of textiles over there.
My weaver friend Agathi, who lives in Kassiopi, Corfu has a small crafts shop. She has a lovely old loom in her shop. In winter months she still does some work at her loom. She also does a lot of crochet as that seems to be popular for the tourists to purchase. I think that she imports some textile products from Turkey and possibly Albania. Agathi took her weaving training many years ago on the island of Crete. When I visit, she tells me stories about the natural dyes of the region, about how the wool was spun, about Flokati rugs, and how Sparto – Spanish Broom was processed to make a type of thread much like flax/linen. This whole region of the world has a very rich textile heritage, with skills and knowledge that seem to be disappearing. I would like to go explore some of that.
Loom Weaving and Wool Spinning
A Google search led me to these finds:
Training opens ‘a window of hope’ for Albanian rug-weavers
In Kukes Albania, Hate Ora has been weaving rugs since learning the craft as a young child from her aunt’s workshop. At 6sixty-something, she now teaches her methods to others so that there will be another generation of artisans who can pass on the skill.
From the Shepherd to the Artizan
This looked like a useful and hopeful project (2014) for the artisans of Gjirokastra to revitalize the textile community. Sadly the website www. woolline. com no longer exists.
82 Year Old Loom Weaver – 82-year-old-loom-weaver-the-only-man-in-albania-who-knits-tapestries-and-folk-costumes
TopChannel.tv
Traditional Dress of Albania – Mirdita
Fustanella, Tirge, xhamadanm, Qeleshe, xhubleta, Çorape, Opinga
Fish Tanning – Fish Skins to Leather
Since I have lately also been exploring fish skin tanning, I wondered if fish skins had been tanned before in that region – and yes, it seems that there has been some research going on about this almost forgotten yet important and sustainable resource.
The researchers in this study were testing tensile strength of fish leather. I find fish leather is very soft much like suede when it is tanned and softened properly. And the leather softens more with use. As I have been working with small pieces of the fish skin, to make small bags, I find that it continues to soften as I hand stitch it. The skin is also quite stretchy and almost elastic. In days gone by I think fish leather was used for clothing, gloves, bags and other softer items.
Albania’s Fish Skin, Sustainability and Circular Economy
Researchers at Department of Textile and Fashion, Polytechnic University of Tirana, Albania recently did a study on the suitability of Albania’s fish skins for use in the leather industry and to transform fish leather crafting into a cleaner and more circular sector.
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Categories: HAND WEAVING, Rug Weaving
