Colcha (Bedspread) c. 1937

Margery Parish made this Colcha, or bedspread, of undyed wool, likely sometime in the mid-20th century. The embroidery is made up of countless stitches, each carefully placed to build the geometric design. Notice how the texture of the wool gives the piece a raised, almost three-dimensional quality. This is no accident; the artist would have had to carefully consider the tension and direction of each stitch to create this effect. The patterns are not just decorative; they are also structural. The process is slow and deliberate, a testament to the value of handcrafted textiles in a world of mass production. It's easy to overlook the labor involved in creating something like this, but each stitch represents a moment of focused attention and skill. Parish's Colcha challenges the conventional hierarchy between fine art and craft, inviting us to consider the social and cultural significance embedded within everyday objects.