Textile craftsmanship in Emilia-Romagna: embroidery, prints and true Made in Italy

In the early 1900s, embroidery was a thriving and profitable business in certain parts of Romagna. In the Ravenna valley of the Lamone River, particularly in Brisighella and Fognano, embroidery was carried out by hand and on a loom, on tulle and velvet, using multicoloured or single-colour threads.

After decades of decline, the art of traditional embroidery has been revived, thanks in part to the ‘C’era una volta il ricamo’ (‘Once upon a time, there was embroidery’) association, founded in 1989. Today, skilled artisans and enthusiasts decorate bedspreads, sheets, towels, curtains, cushions and even formal wear, reviving a heritage that embodies true Made in Italy craftsmanship.

Embroidery associations and groups are also active in Rimini, Riccione, Bellaria and in towns in the Rimini hinterland, such as Montescudo and Coriano. Various types of embroidery are produced here, including macramé, bobbin lace and chiacchierino (a type of lace made using a bobbin frame), following in the footsteps of the school founded in Rimini in 1897 by Anita Sangiorgi.

The history of embroidery in Ravenna is closely linked to the city.  Byzantine embroidery arrived from the East during the period of the Exarchate of Ravenna (6th–8th centuries) to decorate the garments of the Exarchs and their courtiers. Over time, these techniques became integrated into the monastic environment and have survived to the present day.

Today, Byzantine embroidery in Ravenna is passed on through the courses offered by the Centro Italiano Femminile, while in nearby Russi, Irma Scudellari Melandri's school keeps this tradition alive. The artisans of Bizantina Ars work on linen fabrics, embroidering with gold, silver and silk threads and employing traditional stitches such as the grass stitch and the basketweave stitch, hallmarks of Italian craftsmanship.

In Reggio Emilia, in the towns of Casina and San Polo, another historical tradition survives: Ars Canusina. This ancient technique reproduces, on linen and silk, the stylistic features typical of the era of Matilda of Tuscany (1046–1115), such as the friezes and decorations found on local monuments.

The Reggio Ricama Association has played a key role in reviving this art form, creating pieces in warm rust and brown tones using stitches such as satin and basketweave. The association also organises courses and practical demonstrations, making this textile heritage a living example of Made in Italy.

Finally, in Romagna, another centuries-old tradition has been handed down: canvas printing. This technique, which has been in use since the 18th century, has experienced a resurgence in the areas of Forlì-Cesena, Ravenna and Rimini.

To create Romagna canvases, natural fabrics such as linen or hemp are used, along with pear wood blocks engraved by the artisans themselves. The colours, including rust, ochre yellow, blue and red, are prepared by hand and applied to create tablecloths, aprons, bedspreads and other fabrics decorated with traditional motifs: ivy leaves, ears of wheat, cockerels, vine shoots and bunches of grapes. Many local printworks open their doors to visitors for guided tours, offering an immersive experience of true Made in Italy.