I bought these shisha (or mirrored) embroidered pieces in India sometime last century, they’ve hung around in my workshop for at least 15 years. I intended making them into wearable belts, didn’t happen, and to be honest I think the market for mirrored belts is somewhat limited to belly dancers . They are very heavy and inflexible due to the large number of mirrors on each one, and that limits their usefulness on clothing. There were a few mirrors missing, and I liked the look of the exposed red fabric. I removed all of the mirrors from a couple of pieces and used them to customise some jeans….
Now, I had a pang of guilt as I prised the mirrors out, thinking of those women in the villages of Rajasthan carefully handstitching them in place. Is it disrespectful to their efforts for me to deconstruct them? Anyone who works with vintage fabrics must be faced with these same feelings when faced with a delicate doily or an exquisite piece of embroidery – leave it as it is, but keep it in a drawer or make use of it?
I came to the conclusion that it’s better for me to alter them so that I can use them than for them to languish in the dark depths of my workshop. I salvaged most of the mirrors, which are actually made from mica rather than glass, and I will re-use them in some other manner, maybe on my textile art .
There’s a tutorial on how to attach them to fabric here
What do you think about using vintage handicrafts, should they be preserved or reworked?
I was told once to take good photos of the original piece before using it and then repurpose away!
The fabric is GREAT with the mirrors taken out – good move!
Thanks, great idea to take photos before and after.
Definitely all reused….what’s the point of keeping them in a cupboard…share the love
I like your thinking 🙂
I agree that you should definitely use old fabric in new pieces, even if they have to be altered. More than anything, I think it pays homage to the original maker of the piece! Let it shine! reuse those mirrors!!
Very sensible approach I think 🙂
I use doyleys around my home and I have reused them as part of my work.
Their history as been incorporated into mine through my work, I think we should take them out of the box and show them or reuse them. We bring in the energies of another generation.💙😊 x
Yes I agree, it’s a shame for them to be hidden away to keep them “safe” 🙂