In women's hand

Hand woven rugs require years of practice to weave
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Women power on the loom

The first thing one notices is the all-pervasive, drawn out, almost halting beat of the semi-automatic looms. It’s also initially surprising that only women are working on the looms. Why? Because they simply have skilful hands and an instinctive feel for delicate nuances. It takes several years before a weaver has accumulated the necessary experience.

Weaving on semi-automatic looms is more difficult than it looks. Warp and weft sounds easy. Producing a flawless rug in a custom pattern requires an experience of many years.

Teodora Serbu, design assistant in Transylvania worked on the loom herself for three months: „It is good to be able to learn from so many staff. I know each and every weaver personally. The new developments are always discussed with the weavers so that based on this discussion we can find the best qualitative solution.”

Moreover our design coordinator David Humuzau adds: „Only qualified weavers are employed here. When there is a new development I usually discuss it with the older weavers. These women have a great deal of knowledge. We therefore work very closely together, especially where innovation is required, in order not to lose too much time and to ensure that the standard of quality is maintained.”

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Things are looking up

After the well-established textile industry in and around Heltau/Transylvania had experienced its demise, it became increasingly difficult for men and women to provide for their families. With the development of rug manufacturing by Tisca from 1999, hope was rekindled. David Humuzau: „Tisca and other new companies are extremely important for our city; we have all fought very hard to provide work in this region. Other places are a lot poorer; we have been lucky.”

Herman Braendle talked to Teodora Serbu and David Humuzau during October/November 2013.