Fabric: Tarshomar embroidery
Origin: Afghanistan
Origin: Afghanistan
Abaca
Basin
Bogolan
Dhaka
Guatamala wovens
Handloom
Ikat
Indigo
Jamdani
Kalahari silk
Karakul wool
Nakshi Kantha
Oushtab
Supplementary Weft
Suzani/Bukhara
Camel wool
Tarshomar is the name for an embroidery technique that is traditionally used by the Hazara, an ethnic group of which the majority lives in Afghanistan. Recently this group has become famous for providing the stage-setting for ’The Kiterunner’, but for a long time they have been admired for their embroidery and weaving techniques.
Tarshomar means literally ‘counting the stitches’ and consists of many small upright stitches next to each other, creating the typical diamond shaped pattern. The technique is very detailed and precise and is therefore rather time-consuming. Covering the background completely with embroidery is therefore normally only done on smaller surfaces and borders. For larger surfaces a more open type of design is used.
Tarshomar Embroidery can be found on antique bags and purses. Made with more contemporary colours, the fabric- with its diamond shaped designs- looks remarkably modern.