With its detailed embroidery and elegant shapes, Qingyang sachets, also known as fragrant pouches or chu chu (hidden stitch) represent blessing of good luck and happiness and are used to avoid illnesses and evil spirits.
In Qingyang at the eastern edge of Gansu Province, these “fragrant pouches” are known as chu chu (hidden stitch) in reference to a sewing technique that conceals the stitches on the surface of the sachet. Made from silk and embroidered with colorful patterns, they are stuffed with herbs, which may include cinnabar, calamus, wormwood and chrysanthemum. Traditionally, sachets are used to absorb odors, as insect repellent, and as talismans against evil spirits. Throughout China, people typically display and wear sachets during Dragon Boat Festival. Couples also exchange them as tokens of affection.
PRICES
Everyone: FREE
Friday, July 11, 2014
8:00PM – 8:45PM
Zone 5
235 Queens Quay West, Toronto Ontario
Liu Langfang
Sachet maker Liu Lanfang believes that every pattern made on sachets has very deep cultural connotations that go beyond craft to represent distinctive cultural experiences.