Írásos, a true expression of Kalotaszeg and Transylvanian culture and the pride of its people, adorns textiles primarily for use in the home and for decoration. The first pieces date back to the 18th Century. Some stitching decorated clothing while wall hangings were produced to commemorate ceremonies and as gifts for the church. Girls would sew their dowries, comprised of pillows, sheets, and bedspreads, as well as elaborately decorated dresses that included ribbons and beadwork.
– excerpted from ThreadWritten
This class will teach the basic stitches of the Kalotaszeg Open Chain Stitch, a Hungarian folk style that originated in Transylvania, Romania in the late 18th Century. As the basic chain stitch is learned and mastered, a beautiful pattern will emerge. Students will stitch a folkloristic design on a piece of linen that can later be sewn into a small bag, pin cushion, or decorative hanging, or added to a quilt or clothing. Sarah will share her knowledge of the culture and history of Transylvanian textiles and her extensive travel experiences in Hungary and Romania.
This class has been offered in the past at TATTER under the name of Hungarian Written Stitch.
Date
Thursday, April 2nd, 2026
Time
12:00-2:30 pm ET
Location
Zoom, a link will be sent to participants the day before class
Cost
$75
Recording
All sessions will be recorded. A link to the recording will be emailed to all those who register following the live session. This link is live for three months.
Class Materials:
- Small piece of cotton muslin or linen for practice
- Mid to heavy-weight linen fabric
- Water-soluble pencil or heal-sensitive embroidery pen
- Short darning needle
- Thread from Transylvania or No. 2, sport-weight cotton yarn
- Ruler
- Scissors
Our Teacher
Sarah Pedlow, the founder of ThreadWritten, is an artist working with embroidery and cultural preservation through workshops, textile travel tours, and fine art. ThreadWritten supports women artisans, traditional and contemporary textile practices, and the preservation of heritage through research, education, and the cultivation of a global community of makers. Originally from the San Francisco Bay Area, Sarah moved to Amsterdam, NL, in 2019, and recently to Rotterdam where she now lives and works. She has taught and lectured at the Fashion Institute of Technology, The Textile Arts Council at the de Young Museum, San Francisco School of Needlework and Design, TATTER, WildCraft Studio School (Portland, OR), The Embroiderers’ Guild of America, The John C. Campbell Folk School, Wereldmuseum Rotterdam, Crafts Council Nederland, and Selvedge. She holds an MFA in Visual Arts from Rutgers University (US) and her work has been featured in Uppercase, Veranda, House & Garden UK, Piecework, and Selvedge magazines. Find her artwork at sarahpedlow.com.