Example of Basque embroideryMIANGOLARRA, Mariasun de and Eva M. ELORZA (2017). Gurutze-Puntuko Brodatuak San Temo Museoaren Bilduman/Bordados de Punto De Cruz en la Colección del Museo San Telmo, Donostia-San Sebastian, Gipuzkoa: San Telmo Museum, ISBN: 978-84-617-7586-6, Folder, 208 pp., colour illustrations, 68 embroidery charts, text in Basque and Spanish, plus at the end of the book there is a translation of the introduction in English and French.
The San Telmo Museum, Donostia-San Sebastian, Gipuzkoa (Spain), is home to an extensive collection of embroidery from the Basque region of northern Spain. These embroideries were used for a range of household and personal uses, including items associated with a woman’s trousseau such as sheets, curtains, pillowcases and bedspreads, as well as items of clothing such as aprons and petticoats. In addition, embroidered shrouds were also a feature of Basque life. Many of these relevant items were acquired by the museum between 1916-1926.
The main feature of the book is the inclusion of 68 charts of Basque embroidery with repeating geometric patterns, that range from simple, narrow bands, to complex patterns that take time to understand. They are worked on an even weave linen ground using counted thread techniques. They are carried out in cross stitch and double running stitch (Holbein stitch). The authors recommend using DMC Mouline cotton yarn for working the various patterns.
All the examples illustrated are worked in blue linen thread that was originally hand spun and locally dyed.
Recommendation: If you are interested in Basque culture and/or this form of embroidery, then this book is must for your library! I am looking forward to working some of the patterns and understanding in greater detail how they were and are worked.
Gillian Vogelsang-Eastwood, 1 January 2023
