Trinidadian fabrics and embroidery

Description

Of the rich artisan traditions practiced in the Village of Trinidad*, weaving and embroidery, also called “needlework,” stand out for the number of artisans who practice it, the technical level and the diversification of its applications.

Of very ancient origin, these techniques were introduced to the country through Spanish immigration that settled in the central region, stimulated by the development of sugar, tobacco and coffee production and although for years, it was an exclusive work of women, today it is also practiced by men, as an advantageous job that allows economic sustainability.

Among the most widely practiced fabrics are crochet, tatting and Tenerife, filet (Maya) and bolillo lace. Among the embroideries we can point out the fraying, the openwork, which in Trinidad is identified with the randa, the embroidery to the past, in a cross, the Richeliu and the works with inlays of other contrasting fabrics.
Of all the embroideries, the randa stands out, an openwork technique by subtracting threads from the weft and warp of the fabric and on which fillings are made that form figures according to a design and which is applied to both lingerie and various pieces of clothing. It is interesting to rescue the traditional finish using the loop or spike that fell into disuse, being replaced by the scallop, less elegant in its finish.

englishFabrics and embroidery of Villa de Trinidad.

Of the rich artisan traditions produced in the Villa de Trinidad, weaving and embroidery, also called "needlework" stood out for the number of artisans who practice it, the technical level and the diversification of its applications.

Of very ancient origin, these techniques were introduced to the country, through the Spanish immigration that settled in the Central Region, stimulated by the development of the production of sugar, tobacco and coffee and although for years, it was an exclusive work of women, today it is also practiced by men, as an advantageous job that allows economic sustainability.

Among the most produced are crochet, tatting and Teneriffe lace, “filet” (Maya) and bolillo (Spain). Among the embroideries, we can point out the fraying, the openwork, which in Trinidad is identified with the randa, the embroidery of the past, in cross, the Richeliu and the works with inlays of other contrasting fabrics.

Of all the embroideries, the randa stands out, a technique of openwork by subtracting threads from the weft and warp of the fabric and on which fillings are made that form figures according to a design, and that is applied both to lingerie and to various pieces of clothing. It is interesting to see the traditional finial by means of the spigot, which fell into disuse, being replaced by the bobbin lace.

Among the woven and embroidered pieces are: bedspreads, tablecloths, layettes, stoles, dresses, blouses, shirts, scarves, fans, etc.