“ I like to pass on what I know how to do, and I would like to learn a lot more because what I know is a crumb of what I would like to know. Because knowing is good, and I am curious “
Who among us has never tried to make something with his or her own hands? Someone as a child, perhaps helped by grandparents, and someone else as an adult, guided only by his or her imagination. But all of us, sooner or later, feel the need to create something of our own, as we used to do, with our hands and imagination.
Annarosa has been doing this all her life, and she absolutely loves it.
It doesn't matter if she does it for work or in her spare time, what matters to her is creating. And it doesn't even matter what, as long as it is done manually and gives her a chance to learn something new.
Among the many works she does, some of the best known are surely the sciapins, the typical Friulian velvet shoes also known in the rest of the region as scarpèts.
These shoes originating in Carnia have been used since well before the 19th century and were made entirely by hand from reclaimed materials such as old clothes and more recently from bicycle tires to make the sole.
Annarosa creates all kinds: for young and old, colorful and personalized. In particular, she had the opportunity to make a special pair to match the historic Aviano Danzerini dress dating back to 1825 and reproduced entirely on a loom.
Her sciapins hold true to old-fashioned tradition, with reclaimed materials such as old sheets stacked in several layers to create the sole, which is then finished by twine (fil de straponte) and wool bias for the upper edge of the upper, which is embroidered with floral patterns using embroidery thread.
In addition to sciapins, Annarosa loves to make patchwork blankets, a technique that involves assembling different pieces of fabric to create a larger and more useful one, such as the famous blankets of Amish communities.
But she not only creates them, she also teaches how to make them!
Another technique that allows her to let her imagination run wild is machine applique: this technique allows any simple design to be transferred onto the fabric through thermoadhesive paper, thus creating the shape to be applied to other fabric (such as curtains or bibs) by sewing it by machine:
The beauty of this type of craft is that it is diversifiable, you can create anything and you can customize it in turn. You never stop learning and each creation is an inspiration for more. An interweaving of imagination and fun that takes the form of the satisfaction of having made something with your own hands.
When you try, a world opens up. Annarosa's word.
If you want to learn more about the history of sciapins ( or scarpets), you can find it here: Traditional Friulian culture
If, on the other hand, you are curious to see Annarosa at work, click here
Not to miss Annarosa's creations:
Facebook: Annarosa Moro
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