Sorry, your browser doesn't support Java(tm).          The embroideries are one of the most important aspects of Pelion’s popular art. Local seamstresses have a unique and venerable tradition throughout Pelion’s great history. Embroideries have always featured as a vital part of a girl’s dowry for example of such needle work being doilies, sheets, cushions, tray cloths, tablecloths, slipper frames, socks etc. which were assigned to professional seamstresses or were embroidered by unmarried girls. As far as the local costumes and the embroideries are concerned, there was a strict etiquette, which characterized daily life.

           The girl who was planning to get married had to have a certain number of sheets, blankets, cushions etc. She was also supposed to offer a pair of hand – made slippers as a gift to the bridegroom. The father in law, the mother in law and the brothers or sisters in law were offered certain gifts such as: a shirt for the father in law and the brother in law, a suit of underwear for the mother and sister in law. These gifts were called “madilomata” (greek word which is referred to these gifts.) A lot of poor girls, who didn’t have enough money to pay for a professional seamstress, were taught how to embroider their own lace. Sorry, your browser doesn't support Java(tm).

         Apart from the seamstresses who used to embroider for girls’ dowry, there were some others who specialized in embroidering some features of the bride’s dress and the bridegroom’s suit. As a result, there were many seamstresses who specialized in certain aspects of needlework. A group of them used to embroider the bride’s dress, some others the silk shirts which were called “anatouralia” (another greek word referring to these clothes) and another group embroidered the silk parts of the suit. Those who were responsible for the bride’s dress used to embroider it in parts by starting from the lower part of the dress which was sewed in a big, wooden, circle called “telaro” (another greek word).

          There was also a specialized seamstress for sewing the bride’s slippers known as “pasoumakia” (another greek word), which were the bride’s accessory on her wedding day. A carpenter made the wooden part underneath the slippers. The seamstress used to sew on black velvet; the silk designs and then she would give them to the carpenter in order to put a wooden part under the piece of cloth. Sorry, your browser doesn't support Java(tm).

         One of the most distinctive of Pelion’s handicrafts was silk lace. By using silk threads they would sew their slippers on round, wooden circles. Most of the young girls were keen on laces, which were distinctive for their designs. For example, some of the most famous designs were those, which depicted a cross and a plant’s root. It might seem simple but it was a very complicated and strenuous task and some of these types of lacework became masterpieces of Pelion handicrafts.

        Every tradition house in Pelion can be found to have been adorned with these handicrafts right up until now. Nowadays the young girls on Pelion are still fond of such traditional techniques of sewing. That’s why this tradition is still alive and young girls are still making their own handmade lace in order to decorate their houses.

     Mrs. Anthoula used to be one of these very girls, (who is still fond of this age – old tradition). Thus, during winter she spends all of her time sewing and collecting from other girls on Pelion the very best of such traditional handicrafts. These can be seen on display in her corner shop, which is located in Ag. Ioannis on Pelion of course! 

Anthoula Christodoulou 

Agios Ioannis - Pelion

Cel ++30.61000-609619 for English

 Tel:  ++30.2426-031127   Agios Ioannis

++30.2421-020087  Volos