She embroidered the spiritual design she saw in her dream with 200,000 stitches
Bilgin Barutçu, an embroidery instructor in Manisa, transferred a design containing sacred phrases she saw in her dream onto fabric with over 200,000 stitches.
Bilgin Barutçu, a hand and machine embroidery instructor in Manisa, turned a spiritual design she saw in a dream close to the morning prayer into reality using an embroidery machine. Bringing together the names of Allah, Al-Aqsa Mosque, Al-Kaaba al-Musharrafa, and Muhammad, Barutçu used over 200,000 stitches in her work, which she completed in four months.
Inspiration following the dream
Bilgin Barutçu, a hand and machine embroidery instructor in Manisa, decided to bring a spiritual design to life following a dream she saw close to the morning prayer. Having graduated from the Faculty of Theology and engaged in the art of embroidery since the age of 16, Barutçu holds mastery and master instructor certificates. Providing training in various districts under the Public Education Center, the artist has been training trainees in the fields of handicrafts and machine embroidery at Kurşunluhan for about four months.
The frame bought from the flea market and the design process
Sharing the story behind the creation of the piece, Bilgin Barutçu stated that she bought a frame measuring approximately 1 square meter from a flea market with her friends. Influenced by the dream she had while pondering what to create inside the frame, Barutçu designed a composition featuring the names of Allah, Al-Aqsa Mosque, Al-Kaaba al-Musharrafa, and Muhammad together. Sitting at the computer to prepare the patterns piece by piece, the artist then set out to embroider the designs she prepared using an embroidery machine.
Completed with over 200,000 stitches
Stating that she embroidered four separate designs on a large hoop, Bilgin Barutçu noted that each piece consisted of approximately 45,000 to 50,000 stitches. Using over 200,000 stitches in the entire piece, Barutçu joined the parts together using a different embroidery technique. Noting that while the four phrases are frequently used in separate works, they have been brought together in the same piece for the first time, the artist emphasized the spiritual value the resulting work holds for her.
She does not plan to sell her work
Stating that those who see the resulting work admire the craftsmanship and design, Bilgin Barutçu expressed that this work is a dream souvenir for her. Expressing that she definitely does not consider selling her work, the artist conveyed that she could make a similar work again if requested.
Technical details in the art of embroidery
Bilgin Barutçu, who produces a wide range of works from portrait studies to clothing decorations using computerized embroidery machines, also touched upon technical details. Stating that a portrait of Atatürk can consist of approximately 38,000 stitches and some clothing embroideries from 30,000 to 35,000 stitches, Barutçu emphasized that density adjustment plays a critical role in embroidery quality. Stating that excessively tight stitches can cause shrinkage and tearing in the fabric, the artist added that the balance between tightness and looseness requires years of experience.