In 2004, the Foundation started offering patchwork lessons with Ms. Myrto Vlassopoulou. She is the first to teach the patchwork technique since the 1970s, having acquired longstanding experience in the subject, after attending several courses and seminars abroad.
The Patchwork workshop is held every Monday afternoon for beginners, and advanced students. The lessons take place in Building A of the Cultural Center in Stadio, Tegea, In this workshop, students mainly learn how to create objects, following the traditional as well as, the modern trends of this art.
Patchwork is a primarily an American technique, which has spread across the world in recent years. It refers to joining fabric pieces of different colours or textures, following a pattern, to create items such as comforters, throws, pillows, bags, tablecloths, etc.
Weaving, joining of used pieces of fabric, and embroidery flourished across all ancient civilizations in Europe, Asia and Africa. Many decorative designs have travelled to and from Europe, through the road of silk and finally reached the New World. There, what is now known as Patchwork, evolved from a necessity to a form of artistic expression as women across the world, have incorporated respective designs of their countries over time .
It was 2004, when Ms Selma Kenter – the president of the Turkish Women’s Patchwork Club and her group – visited the Foundation’s Cultural Center to present their work and pass on their expertise through a highly successful event. This sparked the interest of the women in Tegea and the courses with Ms Myrto Vlassopoulou started soon after.
The works of the Patchwork Workshop are exhibited every two years during an exhibition hosted at the Cultural Center in Stadio, Tegea. The exhibition offers to the public the opportunity to admire the works of the students and inspires new students to attend. The Foundation’s Patchwork group has been an unfailing source of creativity and friendship among the women all these years…
The best Patchwork works have featured in the Foundation’s printed calendar in years 2010, 2014 and 2019.
The courses, and some of the materials, are provided for free.
