Madeiran Embroidery

Something that the island of Madeira is famous for (aside from its wine and flowers) is the fabulous hand done embroidery. The first time Mum and I went to Madeira, we were told to watch out for the holographic seal that is attached to a piece of embroidery. Why? Because this is the symbol that it has been checked by IBTAM (Instituto de Bordados Tapeçarias e Artesanato de Madeira) to ensure that it isn’t machine made. There is a simpler way – just look at the price!

I will admit to falling for a table cloth, and having serious thoughts about buying it… Or I did until I saw the price. It was €3,000. Mind you, having seen the work that goes into such pieces, I can understand why. Apparently, just a relatively simple piece of embroidery (such as a napkin) can take about 5 days of work, and if you add in the intricate cut work, then that time can almost double.

There is also a magnificent museum that shows some of the fabulous embroidery that is done on the island. It’s called Núclei Museológico do IVBAM (or the IBTAM museum). As you enter the building, and head up the main staircase, the first thing that you see is a huge (and I mean huge) tapestry.

All I can recall about this is that it has about seven million stitches, and took about five years to produce.

Once inside the displays are something special, and I will admit to gazing in wonder at some of the pieces, as it is almost impossible to imagine having the skill to produce the pieces that were on display.

One of my favourite pieces, was a tablecloth that was produced for the Queen’s state visit to Portugal (think it was 1985 or there about). The workmanship was something truly special, even by the standards of the pieces that were on display.

But my all time favourite piece is this one:

This was produced in 1999 (I think), and you can compare the paper pattern with the finished product – something I took great delight in doing.

The other display that caught my eye, was the display that showed the process from paper design to the final product. Unfortunately, the camera hated the display cases, so I only managed to get two useable shots from this entire display.

Well, this finally finishes the trip to Madeira. But I will admit to one thing – I think I have found my ideal holiday destination. Why? Because I can kick back, ignore the world and totally chill out.

After coming back, I am totally relaxed, and am ready to deal with the stupidity that seems to infest my day to day life here in the U.K. But, if I get the chance to go back – I’ll gladly do so, simply because I have fallen for this island paradise.

Time to call this quits – there are things I need to sort out before I head to the playpen tomorrow.

Back when I get the chance...


Karen


Now some things you hold on to - and some you just let go
Seems like the ones that you can't have
Are the ones that you want most