Cairo Tentmakers applique 06-04-17

"Cairo Tentmaker Panel"  Hossam Farouk 2008 46" x45"

Hand applique.  Cotton fabric and thread.

There are three layers - top w/applique, a heavy canvas and a solid fabric backing - but they are not quilted together. The applique stitches go through the applique, the background and pick up just a tiny thread in the canvas. The dark blue backing is attached only at the edges.

This detail shows the workmanship which is amazing, but not perfect enough for a quilt show judge! Considering all this handwork the panels are incredibly inexpensive. I chose this one because of the three that Jenny Bowker had with her in the class I took with her, it has the greatest range of colors.
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Tentmakers of Cairo 02-07-13

In 2008 I took a class with Jenny Bowker at Road to California - it was fantastic.  She had some pieces for sale that were made by the tentmakers and I wrote a check.  I love the color and the stitching is amazing.  However, with all the turmoil and the changes in Egyptian society the tentmakers are not doing great business.  A film maker is trying to raise the money to make a record of the work and the men who stitch the panels.  Doing this will make the information available in the future and, it is to be hoped, that current day tentmakers will have an increase in business.  These days the panels are used on beds, walls and draped over furniture.  The men also sew smaller pieces - pillow sized - that are more apt to be purchased by tourists.  But the workmanship is still excellent.

I posted about the piece that is in the Thomas Contemporary Quilt Collection at
http://www.delquilts.blogspot.com/2008/01/cairo-tentmaker-hanging-01-21-08.html  

 

To learn about this fund raising project click on the logo in the right sidebar.
I urge you to made a donation.  Even ten dollars (US) will help, every penny adds up. 
 There are 23 days left of this funding drive and $12,085 is still needed.  Do it NOW! 

More tentmaker panel 01-23-08

When I posted about the tentmaker panel on January 21, I didn't tell you the size and several people have asked. Hossam Farouk, the maker, is a man. Only men do this work and all belong to a sort of guild of tentmakers. They sit all day working on the applique and reportedly work very fast. Almost all of their work is traditional Arabic designs. This piece is made of cotton fabric, measures about 46" square and was the smallest one Jenny had with her. I just liked the color in this one.