Kalocha embroidery is a type of fancy-work based on hand drawn motives embroidered in mixed stitches. The patterns and their color palette are mostly defined, not allowing significant stepping out of the inherited models. As limiting as that may seem that is what keeps the style preserved and easily recognizable.

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The actual process of making the piece will be presented here in pictures in the near future, but a short account of the materials needed and the procedure is here:

a) The first step would be to get the perfect canvas - a strong good quality cloth that's easy to work with, and which gives the basic background to the needle work. No embroidery will look good on a poor quality fabric.

b) Then the choice of the thread - I use strictly cotton, non-fading twine.

c) The main tool is, of course, a needle, and you will also frequently use scissors.

I transfer the sketch on the cloth and start needling, filling the pattern. I pay attention to keep the stitches parallel and the thread not too tight in order not to get the canvas crumpled. When the embroidery is finished (depending on the size and complexity that can take between a few hours and a few weeks) it is necessary to wash it once. I wash it in lukewarm water by hand and with a little detergent. Once it is dry the final step is ironing: I iron exclusively the back of the canvas, so the embroidered parts protrude from it, creating sort of a relief look on the front. During the ironing the canvas needs to be wet - this prevents it from turning yellow.

It's an outstanding joy in the end to see the embroidered flowers almost bloom in front of you.......

                        It would make me very proud and happy for my works to decorate other people's homes. If you would like to have your own Kalocha embroidery - please write. You can order some of the existing pieces or hire me to embroider one just for you, if you happen to have a specific wish or an idea for it. To contact me just click on the e-mail pigeon below :)