Traditional Greek Textiles

So often the textiles that are celebrated and honored are elaborately decorated and intricately designed. They are often the ones that belonged to the rich and the mighty, that decorated the walls of castles and mansions, that blanketed kings and emperors, that artists memorialized on vases and walls, and that today, hang in museums.

This website isn’t about those.

This website is dedicated to the everyday weavings that keep a family warm and that help them live their everyday lives. These types of textiles have been made by people all over the world, used till they fall apart, are discarded, and then forgotten.

Ordinary Textiles

The Greek textiles presented here are created using the resources and time that a hard-working family can scrape together out of their very busy days. For the most part, the resulting articles are simple in design, sturdy in construction, and intended to last a lifetime.

Because time for textile production is limited, many of these textiles feature plain weave, and have only minimal design elements, such as decorative borders and colorful stripes. What they do surpass in, is strong, tight construction, and perfect selvedges.

Despite being subject to paddling during the washing process designed to drive the soap and water through the thick fabric, thrown on the rough stony ground to catch olives or have a picnic on, and stack and folded up every day when not in use, these textiles endure for years.

The Role of Creativity

Nevertheless, there is also creativity involved. Textile production is one of those activities where a craftsperson can express their individuality and also proclaim membership in a particular family, ethnic group, or culture. In Greece, patterns may be handed down from mother to daughter, the article created may illustrate the family’s occupation, and weaving methods may identify the region the weaver lives in.

Displayed prominently in the home, on excursions to the fields or to religious festivals, and even in vehicles, these hand-woven textiles add bright colors, encapsulate a sense of family, and most importantly, display personal and group identity.

Types of Household Textiles

Here is a list of the types of textiles typically woven by Greek villagers and shepherds.

• Blankets of varying weights
• Flokati
• Goat hair hut coverings
• Goat hair rugs
• Multi-Purpose Sacks
• Pillows
• Rag Rugs
• Rugs: goat hair, rags, & wool
• Saddlebags
• Sheets
• Tablecloths
• Wall-coverings

Examples of these can be found in the Textile Gallery. Construction and usage will be detailed in forthcoming posts. Sign up HERE to receive these articles in your inbox.