Ukrainian embroidered towel- rushnyk

Embroidered towels and shirts have always been an essential component in the house of every Ukrainian: people were dressed in vyshyvankas during weekdays, weekends, and feasts. Newborn babies clad in vyshyvanka and resting on a towel with a tracery greeted the world for the first time. Old folk dressed in clothing with fancywork and with their arms wrapped in an embroidered towel started their journey beyond. There was a certain period in the history of Ukraine when such clothing was hidden in chests. This was when any public use of items adorned with needlework—such as wedding dresses or bedspreads—could bring about persecution by religious authorities who considered such garments works of witchcraft.

Embroidery has experienced a second birth in Ukraine, which declared itself independent and needed a symbol to unite the state. Towels with ornaments on them are now fashionable again, as are garments with characters sewn onto them, such as dolls or frogs. Apparel and towels embroidered with needlecraft have become part of everyday dress for businessmen and students. Embroidered clothes even have their own special day—every third Thursday in May is regarded as an important day for embroidery lovers.

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