Portugal - a living museum of embroidery

Olá! Today we'll have another small break in our historical reviews on Portuguese embroidery... Well... Maybe it won't be a break. Consider it instead as a visit to a living museum of embroidery.

Yes, I believe that Portugal can be seen as a living museum of embroidery... In every home we find beautiful stitches and even in the street you would be surprised at the pieces of embroidery that are being sold.

Last weekend I was out for a weekend near a beautiful town in Alentejo, Estremoz. As always I visited the Antiques and Flea Street Market and my favorite stall that sells vintage embroidery. And this time I asked my husband to take some pictures...

Antiques and Flea Street Market in Estremoz, photo by ZPmoreira

It was great to have all these beauties nearby... But, at the same time, it made me wonder about what happened to all the families that have sold their treasures. All the embroiderers that worked these beautiful stitches never imagining that they would end up in a street market... As we would say in "good Portuguese", É a vida! "That's life!" And at least these embroidery pieces will end up in the hands of someone who will find them precious!!!

Beautiful stitches, photo by ZPmoreira

Each piece of embroidery was more beautiful and colourful than the other...

Beautiful embroidered tablecloth, photo by ZPmoreira

I asked the seller if she could tell me where the embroideries came from. But I obtained no answer, once she was more interested in assuring me that they were not stolen :)

One of my favorites, photo by ZPmoreira

I promise I will make my research work... I would like to be sure that these stitches have Portuguese Soul...

Beautiful flower embroidery, photo by ZPmoreira

It was so difficult to choose the photos... I would like to show you all of them, but as it is not possible, I hope you like my selection!

Vintage and colorful stitches, photo by ZPmoreira

Next week I'll show you more of this living museum of embroidery...