Weaving

Weaving is any type of cloth, knit, upholstery, carpet, rug, felt, zili and cicim (different kinds of ground cloths) made by engaging threads and fibers produced by spinning or various means, with different methods.

The traditional Turkish weaving made of wool, angora, silk, linen or cotton can be classified as of house, bazaar or palace. Turkish weaving going back to very old times in Anatolia and had become an important art during Ottomans.

The most productive period of the Ottoman weaving art is 16th century. The imperial orders show that there had been 268 weaving looms and 88 of these looms had been of the palace during Murat III (1574-1595). Bursa had been known with silk and velvet; Istanbul with luxury fabrics and atlas fabrics - also called diba – specially tailor made for the palace; Bergama, Soma, Denizli of Western Anatolia with cotton fabrics, Ankara with wool – also called sof –, Chios also with atlas fabrics, Amasya with the pattern fabrics – also called spot. During Ottomans, weaving art had been preserved until 18th century and then the local weaves were replaced by the European fabrics.

Kutnu fabric being manufactured handmade just in Gaziantep for almost 400 years is still used for accessories like scarf, tie as well as authentic covering and folk clothes. Because it is weaved by silk and cotton on wooden looms at home or ateliers, it is considered as healthy.