Embroidery On Pina Cloth

Embroidery on Pina Cloth – NeedlenThread.com https://www.needlenthread.com/2015/01/embroidery-on-pina-cloth...

MENU
J A NU A RY 1 6 , 2 01 5
Embroidery on Pina Cloth

Recommended Needlework Books
Kew Book of Whitework Inspirations: Beginner's Guide to Embroidery: A Step-by-

Embroidered Flowers, 8 of the world’s most Crewel Embroidery Step Guide to More than
The: 11 inspiring projects beautiful whitewo… (Beginner's Guide t… 200 Stitches
with reusable iron-on $23.61 $25.95 $16.79 $13.19 $16.99
transfers
$40.00 (2) (202) (648)
Ads by Amazon
The other day, we had a little guessing game about this delicately embroidered
piece of cloth. I showed you some close-up photos and asked if you could guess what
the cloth was made of, and many of you did.
Still, the answer is hard to believe! The following pieces, embroidered in the
Philippines probably before World War II, are made from piña cloth, or cloth woven
from fiber taken from the fronds of pineapple plants.
1 of 11 6/2/20, 1:21 PM
A while ago, a reader in Australia contacted me about embroidery on piña cloth, as she
was on a quest to find a source for the fabric.
I had seen photos of such embroidery, and I was familiar with the Barong Tagalog, the
formal, embroidered shirt often made from piña cloth and worn by men of the
Philippines for important functions.
But I had never seen any piña cloth in person, let alone any embellished with the
delicate and intricate embroidery that is produced by hand in the Philippines.
2 of 11 6/2/20, 1:21 PM
And thus, I began hunting for samples that I could buy, so that I could see this
embroidery in person, up close, and examine it carefully. I was fortunate to be able to
buy five pieces.
My friend in Australia also found a source for piña fabric and was able to invest in a
few yards. She generously sent me a piece of the new cloth, to examine and try for
myself.
3 of 11 6/2/20, 1:21 PM
And so, I find myself enamored with piña cloth and the type of embroidery stitched
upon it – not just with the physical product, though, but the whole process behind it,
and the whole significance of the cloth and process to the culture that produces it.
I’m even toying with the notion of establishing pineapple plantations here in Kansas.
4 of 11 6/2/20, 1:21 PM
I left my fingers in some of the photos, so that you can get an idea of how incredibly
fine the embroidery is!
The pieces that I have, judging from their condition and what information I could glean
about them, are somewhat old, and they show signs of being stored in poor conditions
for a while, including spot stains, discoloration along the folds, and general age
discoloration.
5 of 11 6/2/20, 1:21 PM
Besides that, though, they’re in great shape. The fabric is still strong, the embroidery is
exquisite.
Interesting Explorations into Piña Cloth

Over the weekend, I thought you would enjoy exploring the wonders of piña cloth and
the embroidery of the Philippines.
The following video is a must-see! It shows how piña cloth is made, from beginning to
end. I’ve watched the video some twenty times – and every time, I watch it with
amazement!
6 of 11 6/2/20, 1:21 PM
E-Mail subscribers reading this in your inbox can enjoy viewing both videos
here.
Below is another excellent video worth watching, informative as far as history and
heritage goes, full of excellent photos (including photos of embroidery) and up-close
video of some of the processes involved in making piña cloth. Check out especially the
delicate work of knotting the individual fibers together before weaving – it’s mind-
boggling!
Coursera ADLS 2014 - People, Places, …
And, for your reading pleasure, here are some articles worth exploring:
Lumban Embroidery from the blog Traveler on Foot
Piña Embroidery in Lumban, from the blog Spargel&Fraise
Lumban & the Craft of Embroidery in the Philippines, from the blog, Muni,
which is a collaborative community blog.
7 of 11 6/2/20, 1:21 PM
new piña fabric lined up next to the old, and, eventually, we’ll experiment with the new
fabric.
I hope you enjoy the videos and the articles above! If you have any questions, insights,
comments, amazed exclamations, or anything that you want to share, feel free to join
in the conversation below!
SHARE
TAGS
FABRIC FOR EMBROIDERY PIÑA CLOTH EMBROIDERY
REGIONAL EMBROIDERY TECHNIQUES
< Previous Post Next Post >
8 of 11 6/2/20, 1:21 PM
January 23, 2015

Pina Cloth for Embroidery: Old & New, Compared
January 28, 2015

Cleaning Pina Cloth Embroidery – My Misadventures
July 2, 2010
A Brazilian Embroidery Odyssey
Leave A Comment
Name *
Email * Website
Comment
9 of 11 6/2/20, 1:21 PM
Notify me of replies via e-mail. You can also subscribe without commenting.
POST COMMENT
( 8 1) C O M M E NT S
CAROL S. January 16, 2015 at 10:31 am 1
Mary, thanks for sharing these videos. I have never heard of this fabric;
my mouth hung open while watching the first video. So labor intensive!
Now I want to buy some of this fabric to play with!
Carol S.
R EPLY
MARY CORBET January 16, 2015 at 10:51 am
The fabric is hard to find, Carol. I don’t know if it can be found
in the States – it probably has to be special ordered straight
10 of 11 6/2/20, 1:21 PM
enough (according to a fashion article I read in the NY Times, I
think) the fabric ran about $10 / yard (unbelievable, really,
when you consider the amount of work, no matter what
country it’s from!) Now, I believe it runs around $100/yard.
SUSAN M. January 16, 2015 at 10:41 am 2
Just beautiful! Thanks so much to your and your friend in Australia for
sharing these, Mary!
R EPLY
MORE COMMENTS
11 of 11 6/2/20, 1:21 PM

Embroidery On Pina Cloth

Uploaded by

Document Information

Original Description:

Original Title

Copyright

Available Formats

Share this document

Share or Embed Document

Sharing Options

Did you find this document useful?

Is this content inappropriate?

Copyright:

Available Formats

Embroidery On Pina Cloth

Uploaded by

Copyright:

Available Formats

Embroidery on Pina Cloth – NeedlenThread.com https://www.needlenthread.com/2015/01/embroidery-on-pina-cloth...

Embroidery on Pina Cloth

Kew Book of Whitework Inspirations: Beginner's Guide to Embroidery: A Step-by-

Interesting Explorations into Piña Cloth

Coursera ADLS 2014 - People, Places, …

Lumban Embroidery from the blog Traveler on Foot

Piña Embroidery in Lumban, from the blog Spargel&Fraise

FABRIC FOR EMBROIDERY PIÑA CLOTH EMBROIDERY

REGIONAL EMBROIDERY TECHNIQUES

< Previous Post Next Post >

January 23, 2015

January 28, 2015

CAROL S. January 16, 2015 at 10:31 am 1

Now I want to buy some of this fabric to play with!

MARY CORBET January 16, 2015 at 10:51 am

The fabric is hard to find, Carol. I don’t know if it can be found

in the States – it probably has to be special ordered straight

enough (according to a fashion article I read in the NY Times, I

think) the fabric ran about $10 / yard (unbelievable, really,

when you consider the amount of work, no matter what

country it’s from!) Now, I believe it runs around $100/yard.

SUSAN M. January 16, 2015 at 10:41 am 2

sharing these, Mary!

You might also like