Vishivanka of Sokyryan craftswomen: features of patterns and colors

Patterns on embroidered shirts carry encrypted, sometimes hidden meanings. At the same time, each region of Ukraine had its own characteristics of applying threads to a light background of fabric. Let's consider how the works of Chernivtsi craftswomen differed using the example of a pair of shirts from Sokiryan.

Some of the most ancient embroidered shirts created in this region were made in one color. Zoomorphic motifs were embroidered with white satin stitch or a small cross. Stamping or a twisted seam was often used. Sometimes gold or silver threads, beads, wool, metallic sparkles were used. For example, the Zastavnovsky district was characterized by the use of transverse lines of small geometric elements, while the Kitsmansky district was characterized by large floral ornaments.

Craftswomen from the Sokiryans of the Dniester region also gravitated towards large floral patterns. Their embroidered shirts were distinguished by lushly embroidered sleeves with characteristic oblique lines. The use of a cross, a small seam and a smooth surface was also observed. From the point of view of color, the craftswomen preferred rich black and burgundy threads. This made it possible to create visually three-dimensional ornaments on a white field of fabric. As the themes of patterns, preference was given to flowers with large petals and leaves.

Vyshyvankas of the Chernivtsi region were also decorated with red geometric patterns interspersed with blue. Women's shirts were often embroidered only with red woolen threads and very simple ornaments were used. This color looked good against the background of a white-gray linen. Men's vyshyvankas were somewhat simpler: they had a simple and clear composition, in which geometry, zoomorphism, and plants were found.

You can find an old vyshyvanka with geometric or floral ornaments embroidered by craftswomen Sokiryan on the Violity website in the corresponding subsection.