Teixits Vicens: The Fabric of Mallorca

Every year in January Mallorca celebrates its patron saints Sant Antoni and Sant Sebastià with huge fires and wild correfocs. Actually, fire tongues are popular on the island all year round. The fabric with the traditional Llengües pattern is made in an elaborate process that only three manufactures master, today. In their workshop in Pollença Teixits Vicens proudly introduces you to the making-of.

The Art of Ikat

The ancient dyeing technique named ikat came to the Mediterranean via the Silk Road a long time ago. In short, it’s 70% cotton and 30% linen for the fabric. Tons of used bicycle tubes to tightly wrap the yarn into the desired pattern.

About twenty basic colors to mix the intended shade, warm and cold water and some more formulas for the dying. And then there is the weaving. Altogether this is a slow, time-consuming process. A batch of llengües fabrics, that’s 200 meters of cloth, takes about three months time.

The Llengües Pattern

But we are not talking about a fast process here. At Teixits Vicens they take care and patience, skills and knowledge to turn more than two thousand of white cotton threads into this bright, intricate pattern called “cloth of tongues”. And the artisans in the workshop are true artists. The ikat technique is passed on only within the family. The most important details remaining a well-kept secret, of course.

Family Business

Teixits Vicens’ workshop in Pollença dates back as far as 1854. And it is family-owned until today. Keeping the traditions but also adapting to changing demands. In their store you find almost everything, from cushions to curtains, from table decoration to bedding.

Among the customers are renowned hoteliers and restaurateurs. Like Can Joan de s’Aigo who asked Teixits Vicens to design and manufacture seat covers with the traditional Llengües pattern for one of their cafés in Palma.