Raffia Needlework

Raffia has been used as a thread in needlework since last few years in place of silk or linen. Raffia fibre's quality like toughness as linen twine and pliable like silk; it is easily adaptable for needlework. Generally delicate strands should be secured for needle work. A fine long darning needle must be used for working in the strands as raffia has delicate strands.

Darning is one of the most attractive forms to which this sort of needlework can be applied. Raffia darning would be usually out of place on the fine fabrics, but on Russian hand-made crash, with its soft silver grey background, it is ideal decoration for porch pillow and summer portieres. Needlework can also be applied on Rough oatmeal cloth, coarse toweling, and huckaback.

References

1. http://www.wisegeek.com/what-is-raffia.htm
2. http://www.adire.clara.net/kubaintro.htm
3. http://www.africaandbeyond.com/raffia-cloth-textiles-Africa.html
4. http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Raffia_palm
5. http://chestofbooks.com/crafts/general/Handicrafts-Home/Chapter-XXIV-Raffia-Needlework.html