A family heritage in open work embroidery

• • Cecilia hand embroiders home linen open work in her workshop
• • She taught needlework to Cartago’s prison inmates
• • Cartago exemplifies Colombia’s long-standing embroidery tradition

Cecilia Velásquez, one of Cartago’s most reputed embroiderers recalls her early experience with her craft through the dresses her grandmother and mother made for six sisters and herself. The geometrical patterns of her designs are a constant reminder of her masters. Franciscan nuns at school also relayed the art and technique, instilling strict precision to students like Cecilia. She learned from them the importance of a perfect finish. D’Coralia is the workshop that Cecilia opened in 1978, and today it enlists apprentices regularly to ensure the precious craft is preserved. Cartago’s embroidery tradition is threatened by mechanical production. Cecilia is convinced that institutional policy and protection are necessary to motivate transmission and safeguarding of this heritage.