The khalat flares to the bottom, it does not have a collar. First, each detail of the future dress is embroidered with an ornament and only then they are sewn together. Sometimes they are additionally decorated with beads.
The hem, edges and sleeves are decorated with traditional patterns — narrow strips of white and blue fabric. It is created in the applique technique. The simplest geometric pattern is a straight line, a strip or a ribbon — it means a road, a life path for the Khanty people.
The hem of the craftswoman’s khalat is also embroidered with horizontal stripes of white, blue, and yellow. Such a pattern is considered by the Khanty to be a protection against evil spirits that bring troubles and diseases from the Lower World. Along the very edge of the bottom, a strip embroidered with beads is sewn with small stitches that are visible only on the inner side.
The ornament on the sleeves, also performed in the applique technique, provides protection from witchcraft and the evil eye, according to ancient beliefs. The Khanty believe that the thoughts of the craftswoman will be sewn into the seams and patterns, so the woman should think only about good things while working.
According to the Khanty beliefs, clothes can be worn only if the ornament on is fully completed.
The craft of making clothes was traditionally considered a women’s job. Women who know all the secrets of this craft do not use special sewing patterns, stencils or rulers. They can measure all the details just by looking at them.
In the old days, the creation of even one piece of clothing was a long and time-consuming process: craftswomen usually worked in winter with poor lighting. For example, the process of embroidery of a shirt or dress could take one or even two years.
The hem, edges and sleeves are decorated with traditional patterns — narrow strips of white and blue fabric. It is created in the applique technique. The simplest geometric pattern is a straight line, a strip or a ribbon — it means a road, a life path for the Khanty people.
The hem of the craftswoman’s khalat is also embroidered with horizontal stripes of white, blue, and yellow. Such a pattern is considered by the Khanty to be a protection against evil spirits that bring troubles and diseases from the Lower World. Along the very edge of the bottom, a strip embroidered with beads is sewn with small stitches that are visible only on the inner side.
The ornament on the sleeves, also performed in the applique technique, provides protection from witchcraft and the evil eye, according to ancient beliefs. The Khanty believe that the thoughts of the craftswoman will be sewn into the seams and patterns, so the woman should think only about good things while working.
According to the Khanty beliefs, clothes can be worn only if the ornament on is fully completed.
The craft of making clothes was traditionally considered a women’s job. Women who know all the secrets of this craft do not use special sewing patterns, stencils or rulers. They can measure all the details just by looking at them.
In the old days, the creation of even one piece of clothing was a long and time-consuming process: craftswomen usually worked in winter with poor lighting. For example, the process of embroidery of a shirt or dress could take one or even two years.
