Marcella Sanna

Tessile Medusa

Weaver | Samugheo, Italy

An ancient craft for women

Marcella learned from her father and uncles
The town of Samugheo is world-famous for its weaving
Wool, cotton and linen are the most used fabrics

Tessile Medusa studio, founded in the 1960s in Samugheo and taken over by Marcella Sanna in 2004, is one of the most well-known weaving ateliers in Sardinia. It is known for its carpets, delicate curtains, precious tablecloths and fabrics that are not only manufactured for private households but also for the hotel industry. The atelier boasts important hotels on the Costa Smeralda among its customers. Over time, the company’s small manual looms have been replaced by larger semi-mechanical looms. Currently, alongside traditional production, the atelier carries out innovative research of decorative designs, colours and images.

Interview

©Pierluigi Dessi

©Daniela Maddau

What are your sources of inspiration?: I draw inspiration from the fields in bloom and the decorative motifs of the ancient local traditions. My aim is to replicate the textures of the earth and the colours of the extraordinary Sardinian sea. It’s enough for me to observe the room that needs to be decorated to come up with the perfect matching pieces.
Is it true that in Samugheo every woman knows how to weave?: Yes, it is. It’s the tradition. Our town is acclaimed for its textiles, every little girl grows up with the knowledge that sooner or later she has to sit in front of a loom. It’s unthinkable that a woman in Samugheo doesn’t know at least the ropes of this craft.
When did you start?: My father and my uncles owned a textile workshop, so I grew up among looms and weavers. During the summer holidays, I used to go down to the workshop and learn the basics. I was 14 when I produced my first piece: it was a small rug with very colourful stars.
What materials do you use?: Mainly wool and cotton, which we source from Sardinia, and linen that comes from Prato, in Tuscany. I get through a lot of fabric, in many colours. To produce a small rug, it takes up to two days. If the item is more than two metres long, I have to work with a helper, and we need a few days to complete it.

Marcella Sanna is a master artisan: she began her career in 1990 and she started teaching in 2006