Zilli Kilimas

Press Kit

Unique Properties

Zilli is a blend of traditional weaving with postmodern lines. The rug is hand-woven using Turkey's geographically marked Karacakilavuz Weaving Technique. It has geographically marked motifs with five different meanings. The motifs were embroidered during weaving with the Cicim Technique, which is not considered as a post processing. This is the most important aspect that distinguishes this weaving technique from others.

Dimensions & Packaging

Width 240 cm x Depth 280 cm x Height 1 cm. Since the product is handmade, these dimensions may change each time a production is completed. It is also possible to produce in different sizes. Package size is 80cmx40cmx60cm.

Tags

artisan, craft, rug, design, anatolian, woman, natural dye, sustainable

Production Technology

The production was made with the Karacakilavuz Weaving technique and produced in Tekirdag province of Turkey. Weaving is done on four-pedal and four texsolv heddles oak looms. The ground of the weave is twill weaving, motifs are processed with the Cicim Technique during the weaving. The wool is colored entirely with vegetable dyes and natural undyed cotton warp thread was used in its warp.
Three weaving pieces are produced separately and hand-embroidered using the crochet stitches. Back side cleaning process is done with a crochet hook and scissors. Three wings are joined together asymmetrically with a knitted wool chain. A lining fabric containing cotton is added to prevent the back of the fabric from being exposed. Finally, each rug fringe at the end of the rug is hand-attached to finish the product.

Design Challenge

This design is far from the usual traditional lines while bringing this first innovation with preserving the traditional technique and motifs. In traditional, the motifs had an intricate structure and all motifs were evaluated separately. Their stories are individual but they whisper a story in general. At the same time, its production required precision. It made difficult for our team who had never worked with milimeters before. However it gave people pleasure with its colors and patterns, it began to be known in the workshop as '' Zilli '', a somewhat a joyful name, this gave the rug.

Research

We learned from the locals about the history of the weaving technique with geographical indication mark. We took old weavings that were used hundreds of years ago in the village and could not be preserved in good conditions from the houses. In this way, we also closely examined how the weaving technique was used in the past. We have measured dimensions of yarn's arrangement and placements of the threads at each pedal stages. Then we have recreated the weaving based on our measurements.

Inspiration

This weaving technique dates back centuries. Its name is Karacakilavuz Weaving Technique and it is unique to Tekirdag/Turkey and geographically marked. However, not all Karacakilavuz Weavings have survived to the present day. Zilli aims to revive this lost weaving technique from its ashes. With this design, a completely different interpretation has been brought by using exactly the same weaving technique and motifs. The motifs on it describe fertility and the bitter and sweet aspects of life.

Project Duration

Karacakilavuz Weaving Technique, which is the core technique of weaving the product, belongs to the Tekirdag province of Turkey. It is only allowed to be produced only in Tekirdag. For this reason, the production of the rug was made in Buruz's own workshop in Tekirdag province of Turkey. Buruz's workshop is the first production workshop opened in Turkey, providing sustainable women employment for Karacakilavuz Weaving. The production period takes approximately one month (the stage of dyeing the ropes with plants is not taken into account).

Operation Flow

The product is designed as a floor rug. It is produced in Buruz's workshop in approximately one month, using completely environmentally sustainable materials. The sale and promotion of the product is made on Buruz's website or other sales points. Since it is a custom made product, it can only be produced as a limited edition. Due to its production feature, it is not a mass production item. The rugs production can be organized upon the order.

Patents

trademark registration number: 2021 102712

Image Credits

The photos in pdf format were taken by Begum Karadag.
The other photos were taken by Tekirdag Municipality press officers.