Made of the same textile fibres (hemp, flax, wool, cotton, silk) as the goods intended for household use, traditional Romanian costumes also show great regional diversity, although their origins go back as far as Dacian times. Both male and female costumes show some uniform features in terms of the material used, their cut, ornaments and colours. The cut is simple and elegant, and rectangular pieces of cloth are ingeniously combined and draped to emphasize the shape of the human body. The ornamental design of the woven embroidery is predominately geometrical and highly stylized. The shades are refined and the chromatic range is limited to some basic colours such as red, black, white and blue.
Textile weaving is the most widespread craft in Romania, handed down from generation to generation. It uses using distinctive family patterns along with those specific to different districts. Looms are still common in homes, and women weave and embroider from childhood into old age. The predominant fibres, wool and cotton are woven into rugs, wall hangings, table covers and clothing. Some Romanian weavers and embroiderers still work with threads and yarns they produce themselves, but younger weavers tend to purchase their raw materials. They weave and embroider just about every cloth article used in their homes, from colourful linen and cotton towels to window draperies, bedspreads, rugs, wall hangings, furniture throws and clothing. The embroidery which you see on folk costumes worn for holidays and special occasions (like weddings) follows strict regional patterns, and serves also as a sort of secret language known only to people within the different regions. Sibiu uses graphic black and white motifs, reflecting its Saxon heritage; southern regions of Arges, Muscel, Dimbovita and Prahova use red, black maroon, yellow, gold, and silver threads, reflecting influences of the Ottoman Empire. Buzau uses terracotta; Oas uses green, and Moldavia uses orange and the Voronet blue which has become world-famous by its use on the monastery of the same name. Especially beautiful is a type of ‘cut embroidery’ seen on white or ecru linen and cotton throughout the country.
