Traditional cloth art has a long history in China. According to “Shangshu” records, the Zhangfu system 4,000 years ago stipulated that “clothes should be painted and embroidered”, which reflects the people’s yearning for a better life.
In Shengfang Ancient Town, Bazhou City, Hebei Province, Li Fengxia, who is over 70 years old, combines female celebrities with “Internet +” to weave her cultural entrepreneurial dream in the context of the new era.
Learning traditional fabric skills since childhood
There is a local saying in Shengfang that when a newborn child passes the full moon, the child’s aunt will give her nephew a pair of “pig shoes”; If it is a niece, give her a pair of “cat shoes” and a large satin cloak. These are handmade from cloth. When a child celebrates his “100th birthday”, his grandmother’s family will give them “iron trousers” and put a “100th birthday bag” in the trousers. This custom continues to this day.
Li Fengxia’s ancestors were once from a wealthy family, and the female relatives in the family were led by their elders to practice nvhong every day, and this was repeated from generation to generation.
Li Fengxia, who was born in 1951, has been learning rouge from her grandmother since she was a child. She has exquisite craftsmanship and is well-known in Shengfang Town. Many people come to learn from her. Li Fengxia works by herself while taking care of her apprentices at home.
In 2015, she established the Linfengxia Silk Handicraft Company in Shengfang Town, Bazhou City on the basis of a small workshop, passing on the traditional fabric craftsmanship, and registered the “Linfengxia” trademark .
Hand-made sewing is complicated
Walking into Li Fengxia’s home, she was sewing cloth tigers. These cloth tigers, the smallest ones are only 4 cm long and 3 cm wide, and the largest ones are no more than 8 cm. Most of them are sewn with red or yellow cloth. Some use pens to outline their eyebrows, and the more elaborate ones use beads and sequins to make their eyes. Lifelike. The traditional little cloth tiger also steps on a red gourd. The gourd is also made of cloth. The gourd is homophonic to “Fu Lu”, which is intended to bring good luck to the child and bring him both good fortune and good luck.
Li Fengxia’s fabrics are completely sewn by hand. The complicated workmanship tests the patience of the maker, including more than ten small processes such as material selection, clamping, nailing, nose, ears, and sewing. Dozens of major processes. Her designs don’t need to be drawn, she relies entirely on imagination, and she keeps cutting them with scissors until they are perfect.
In order to create a lifelike fabric red koi, Li Fengxia bought a red carp and kept it in a bathtub. She carefully observed the fish’s swimming and expression, and created three auspicious red carps with three expressions. Gradually, this brocade red carp became a necessity in the Shengfang girl’s trousseau.
It takes time and effort to make each piece of fabric art work, but the complicated and delicate production process contains the adults’ deep love for their children.
Using Internet platforms for development
Li Fengxia is 72 years old this year, but she has a sharp mind. She believes that in order for traditional fabrics to be passed down better, the current situation that fabrics are only sold locally must be changed.
As “Lin Fengxia” became more and more famous, Li Fengxia actively participated in various exhibitions. Considering that traditional fabrics are easy to transport and are not afraid of bumps, she decided to sell them online. Since 2015, Li Fengxia has actively cooperated with an Internet company to realize the operation of “Internet + traditional fabric art”.
Today, the traditional cloth art of Shengfang Ancient Town is not only a folk craft, but has gradually evolved into a cultural symbol, constantly telling the unique temperament and charm of the ancient town to tourists from all over the world.
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