The Tentmakers of Cairo are world renowned for their colorful appliqué wallhangings. If you like colors, bold designs and needlework, have a look at what these men can do! If you aren't familiar with the Tentmakers of Cairo yet, find out what you are missing!
Explore the role of The Tentmakers in biblical times with a look at six significant weaving and textile references found in Scripture.
The Tentmakers of Cairo are world renowned for their colorful appliqué wallhangings. If you like colors, bold designs and needlework, have a look at what these men can do! If you aren't familiar with the Tentmakers of Cairo yet, find out what you are missing!
The Tentmakers of Cairo are a group of men who work in historic Cairo creating beautiful hand-stitched wall hangings. See their amazing work here.
Another well presented Exhibit during AQS QuiltWeek/ Phoenix was Stitch Like An Egyptian with The Tentmakers of Cairo 125 beautifully appliqued quilts lined an entire section of the Convention Center With needles flying and snippets of cloth laying at his feet Hosam Hanafy worked rapidly on brilliantly colored applique for the full 4 days of the show. This ancient art begins with a canvas back and then layers of solid colored cloth are sewn in bit by bit by hand to form the top. Rows upon rows of beautiful quilts. Such intricate designs! Each quilt was for sale. We marveled at the prices for such detailed pieces. For example: Wael 54" X 65" was listed at $1,200 for AQS Members $1,500 retail The Tentmakers of Cairo is a traveling exhibit with AQS check their listings for future shows. A recent comment with additional information: A great post about the Tentmakers of Cairo. If you are keen to see more or find out more about them you should take a look at our website www.tentmakersofcairo.com where you can find out more about the men and about our upcoming documentary film about them. Cheers. Kim Beamish Producer The Tentmakers of Chareh El Khiamiah
The Tentmakers of Cairo are world renowned for their colorful appliqué wallhangings. If you like colors, bold designs and needlework, have a look at what these men can do! If you aren't familiar with the Tentmakers of Cairo yet, find out what you are missing!
The Tentmakers of Cairo are world renowned for their colorful appliqué wallhangings. If you like colors, bold designs and needlework, have a look at what these men can do! If you aren't familiar with the Tentmakers of Cairo yet, find out what you are missing!
The Tentmakers of Cairo are world renowned for their colorful appliqué wallhangings. If you like colors, bold designs and needlework, have a look at what these men can do! If you aren't familiar with the Tentmakers of Cairo yet, find out what you are missing!
The Tentmakers of Cairo are world renowned for their colorful appliqué wallhangings. If you like colors, bold designs and needlework, have a look at what these men can do! If you aren't familiar with the Tentmakers of Cairo yet, find out what you are missing!
The Tentmakers of Cairo are world renowned for their colorful appliqué wallhangings. If you like colors, bold designs and needlework, have a look at what these men can do! If you aren't familiar with the Tentmakers of Cairo yet, find out what you are missing!
The Tentmakers of Cairo are world renowned for their colorful appliqué wallhangings. If you like colors, bold designs and needlework, have a look at what these men can do! If you aren't familiar with the Tentmakers of Cairo yet, find out what you are missing!
This masterpiece of hand-stitched appliqué Tentmakers of Cairo Art by master stitcher Mahmoud Soleman at Chareh El Khiamiah located in Old Islamic Cairo, Egypt. This piece was stitched very well by a master one of the Tentmakers of Cairo! Tentmakers of Cairo Christmas piece 2018-2019. This piece would have taken approximately two months and a half to stitch and was completed by the one stitcher. Dimensions width 110 cm x length 160 cm (43 inch * 63 inch) Upon sale, the piece will have sleeves added to the back for ease of hanging and the stitcher's name embroidered in the bottom right-hand corner.
The Tentmakers of Cairo As soon as I heard the Tentmakers of Cairo would be at the AQS show in Grand Rapids, I knew I had to make the trip to see the exhibit. It was spectacular, if you ever get a chance to see this wonderful show, don't miss it! Here are a few photos from the exhibit. The use of color and intricate designs were so inspiring, I'll be dreaming of these great works for a long time. And I can't wait to get back to Cairo.
The Tentmakers work in Old Cairo on Sharia Khayammia or the Tentmakers’ Street. Approaching Sharia Khayammia. One side of the ancient gate doors. For generations, hundreds of workers (male) were employed here, making beautiful tents often used for ceremonies such as weddings. The appliqués were on the inside, giving a sort of stained-glass effect. Today, only about forty shops remain. The tentmakers rarely get orders for handmade tents because of the cost. They have had to adapt to different markets and (tragically) now sell the printed fabric that has replaced their work. However, they keep working. On the positive side, their appliqués can now be seen in wall hangings, pillow cases, and bed covers. The small, narrow shops are crammed with beautiful creations. Now do I have your attention? The lotus is a frequent design element. The bird designs were unusual. One can find tentative pieces that stray from traditional designs. It would seem that these artisans wish to test the waters to see if they can expand their repertoire while still pleasing clients. Amr has a Masters degree in philosophy, but has followed in his father's footsteps. He finds himself bored by the constant repetition of traditional designs and seeks new possibilities. Other young men of Tentmaker families seem more interested in the commercial aspect of the business and less interested in plying needle and thread. Given the economic problems in Egypt and changing social conditions, the Tentmakers may be next on the list of endangered species. I would be surprised if this brief tour hasn't given readers an overload of color and design. Ahhh, but I'm saving the best for last! ________________________________________________________________ NB: 1) All photos were taken with permission of the Tentmakers. 2) August 22-25 the AQS is sponsoring an exhibition of 95 Tentmakers quilts in Grand Rapids, Michigan. See their site for more information.
The Tentmakers of Cairo are a group of men who work in historic Cairo creating beautiful hand-stitched wall hangings. See their amazing work here.
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The text in this posting is copied with her permission from an email by Jenny Bowker and the gorgeous photos are taken from her Pinterest ...
"Tentmakers of Cairo" exhibition. Festival of Quilts in Birmingham, UK. August 2011.
\"The Blessings of a Tentmaker\" is a story that has influenced the values and outcomes of my life and the lives of my children and grandchildren; it has had a similar great impact for good on hundreds and thousands of people around the globe! This book is not simply about ministry, it is a book of family stories. What is fascinating to realize, as I've read these stories, is how the character, actions and adventures of a parent will often be repeated by the children, as my siblings can also attest. As you read this book, consider not simply the value of the stories but also of your responsibility to God that will be reflected in your children and descendants! God help us to be careful what we allow to take root in our lives so that only what is true, honest, just, pure, lovely, excellent, and worth imitating, as the Apostle Paul admonished, can be written of us and be transferred to the next generation.This book evokes another consideration: What is the perfect job or the perfect life? Does it exist? My dad is both a businessman (yes, to this day!) and a minister. Asking this question is begging the background question for what is the purpose of a life? My dad explores this theme in this book. My son recently told me of an anonymous and relevant quote, \"Dreamers dream; implementers change the world.\" Implementing requires a plan or a purpose. My dad discovered his purpose, and therefore his perfect job, by intentionally taking time each day to worship the God who created him and who \"knit\" him together in his mother's womb for a specific purpose (Psalms 139:13). Those times of worship became the basis for action as he trusted that he had a talent and a message to share.
"Tentmakers of Cairo" exhibition. Festival of Quilts in Birmingham, UK. August 2011.
This masterpiece of hand-stitched appliqué Tentmakers of Cairo Art by a master stitcher (Uncle Sayed Azez) He passed away and this last piece from his hands. shop in Chareh El Khiamiah located in Old Islamic Cairo, Egypt. This piece would have taken approximately 3 months and a half to stitch and was completed by one stitcher. Dimensions: Width 90cm x Length 180cm (Approx. 35inches x 70inches) Upon sale the piece will have sleeves added to the back for ease of hanging and the stitcher's name embroidered in the bottom right-hand corner.
"Tentmakers of Cairo" exhibition. Festival of Quilts in Birmingham, UK. August 2011.
This masterpiece of hand-stitched appliqué Tentmakers of Cairo Art by master stitcher Mahmoud Soleman at Chareh El Khiamiah located in Old Islamic Cairo, Egypt. This piece was stitched very well by a master one of the Tentmakers of Cairo! Tentmakers of Cairo Christmas piece 2018-2019. This piece would have taken approximately two months and a half to stitch and was completed by the one stitcher. Dimensions width 110 cm x length 160 cm (43 inch * 63 inch) Upon sale, the piece will have sleeves added to the back for ease of hanging and the stitcher's name embroidered in the bottom right-hand corner.
The Tentmakers of Cairo are world renowned for their colorful appliqué wallhangings. If you like colors, bold designs and needlework, have a look at what these men can do! If you aren't familiar with the Tentmakers of Cairo yet, find out what you are missing!
The Tentmakers of Cairo are world renowned for their colorful appliqué wallhangings. If you like colors, bold designs and needlework, have a look at what these men can do! If you aren't familiar with the Tentmakers of Cairo yet, find out what you are missing!
The Tentmakers of Cairo are world renowned for their colorful appliqué wallhangings. If you like colors, bold designs and needlework, have a look at what these men can do! If you aren't familiar with the Tentmakers of Cairo yet, find out what you are missing!
The Tentmakers of Cairo are world renowned for their colorful appliqué wallhangings. If you like colors, bold designs and needlework, have a look at what these men can do! If you aren't familiar with the Tentmakers of Cairo yet, find out what you are missing!
The Tentmakers of Cairo are world renowned for their colorful appliqué wallhangings. If you like colors, bold designs and needlework, have a look at what these men can do! If you aren't familiar with the Tentmakers of Cairo yet, find out what you are missing!
The Tentmakers of Cairo are world renowned for their colorful appliqué wallhangings. If you like colors, bold designs and needlework, have a look at what these men can do! If you aren't familiar with the Tentmakers of Cairo yet, find out what you are missing!
Explore the role of The Tentmakers in biblical times with a look at six significant weaving and textile references found in Scripture.
I’ve long been a follower of Jenny Bowker, who if you are not into quilting names, is a well known Australian quilter who spent many years as an expat wife in the Middle East. Consequently, by reading her blog I became aware of the Tentmakers Of Cairo. Have you seen them? There are literally hundreds. Thousands probably. All different. All divine. They are quite possibly the most beautiful things I’ve seen. Each one is so different, I couldn’t pick a favourite. http://www.touregypt.net/featurestories/applique.htm is another excellent place to learn about them. Go to Google, type in “Tent Makers Of Cairo” and do an image search. Allow yourself hours. HOURS. I’m in awe. And these are men, sitting in their shops, with no fancy schmancy tools, no fancy needles, no fancy drawings. Just done the same way, with needle and thread, that generations have been doing before them. Sadly, it’s a dying industry. I’m very pleased that people like Jenny are doing a lot to promote them. These are works of art, and should be treated as such. I totally want to do one. I’ve taken this information from a Saudi website, it’s a very interesting read: Go to the massive 10th-century gate of Bab Zuwayla, in old Cairo, cross the small square in front of the gate and you are at the beginning of one of the oldest thoroughfares in Cairo - Shari Khayyamiya. Khayma means "tent" in Arabic and here, in the Street of the Tentmakers, the ancient craft of making huge tent pavilions, or suradeq, out of appliqued cloth patterns has been carried on for hundreds of years.. (taken from this link here – go read it, it’s very interesting. I’ll wait for you.) Jenny has a very interesting blog/website (sadly, she doesn’t seem to be updating her blog all that often these days – she’s a very busy tutor now). Looking at her quilts it’s easy to see how her quilting has been influenced by her time in the Middle East. *updated – I’ve found that the AQS Quilt Show in Grand Rapids, MI - August 22-25, 2012 will be featuring them. Obviously only worth going to if you’re in the US – let’s hope that they can come over to Australia soon* I hope you enjoy them. Suzie
Another well presented Exhibit during AQS QuiltWeek/ Phoenix was Stitch Like An Egyptian with The Tentmakers of Cairo 125 beautifully appliqued quilts lined an entire section of the Convention Center With needles flying and snippets of cloth laying at his feet Hosam Hanafy worked rapidly on brilliantly colored applique for the full 4 days of the show. This ancient art begins with a canvas back and then layers of solid colored cloth are sewn in bit by bit by hand to form the top. Rows upon rows of beautiful quilts. Such intricate designs! Each quilt was for sale. We marveled at the prices for such detailed pieces. For example: Wael 54" X 65" was listed at $1,200 for AQS Members $1,500 retail The Tentmakers of Cairo is a traveling exhibit with AQS check their listings for future shows. A recent comment with additional information: A great post about the Tentmakers of Cairo. If you are keen to see more or find out more about them you should take a look at our website www.tentmakersofcairo.com where you can find out more about the men and about our upcoming documentary film about them. Cheers. Kim Beamish Producer The Tentmakers of Chareh El Khiamiah
As promised and back by popular demand, more work by the Tentmakers of Cairo. To begin, here’s an amateur video of a Tentmaker working: note the enviable speed of the hand movement. Shopping is not high on my list of pleasures or priorities, and admittedly, I don’t need more quilts, however, I went to the Tentmakers’ Street looking for just one beautiful piece to remember my Cairo visit. I wanted a worthy souvenir. The colors of this bed-sized medallion caught my eye, so I nudged my husband sharply in the ribs, gestured toward it as discreetly as possible while he tried to recover his breath, then left the shop so he could haggle for it. A similar piece as a wall-hanging (not in my possession, unfortunately). Another bed-sized appliqué of the same design, slightly different arrangement of colors (not in my possession, sigh). This intricate star is breath-taking (also not mine, alas). And THE best for last: A picture of the following wall-hanging, which I took on my first visit to the Tentmakers’ Street, made me gasp. Tucked in among so many other beautiful pieces, its full splendor was not immediately apparent to me. So on my second visit to the Tentmakers’ Street two days later, I hunted it down and broke my own rule of only one purchase. It is now the center of attention in my dining/living room. And for all those who have completed the month of Ramadan, I wish you "Aïdakoum Mabrouk" and a happy Aïd celebration.
"Tentmakers of Cairo" exhibition. Festival of Quilts in Birmingham, UK. August 2011.
47 Mohamed Dendon
