Recently I had a pleasure of
visiting a young married couple Simon and Tamara Leviev - in their hospitable
and cozy house in the picturesque area of Rego Park. Looking at this amazing
couple, you are convinced that husband and wife are really the closest to each
other people who over the years become true partners in life and one in a
spiritual sense: they have common desires, common goals in life, common joys.
Another thing struck me in this union: on the eve of his anniversary, Simon
asked me to write not about himself, but about his wife and her rare hobby -
silk ribbon embroidery. Simon proudly displayed his wife’s stunning work and exquisite
technique. In the hands of Tamara Levieva silk ribbons turn into bright yellow
sunflowers, violet-orange irises, tender lilies, succulent buds of roses and
branches of lilac.
We talked for a long time
with Tamara, and she revealed to me the incredible world of the art of
embroidery tape, which has become her favorite hobby for years.
– Tamara, tell me a little
bit about yourself and your family.
– I was born and raised in
Dushanbe, in the noble family of Rafael Mataev and Miryam Ilyasova, we were six
children. Ever since I was a child, I’ve always found myself some hobbies, made
something, but most of all I liked sewing; I’ve always watched my mother sew
beautiful clothes for all the children. And when I grew up, I entered the Tajik
Agricultural Institute, faculty of economics, married a beloved man - Simon
Leviev. He is a mechanical engineer, graduated from the Tajik Polytechnic
Institute. We have been living together for about 50 years. He is my pillar in
life and he supports me in everything. He is also from a large family, and we
lived together with his parents.
Tamara is very modest and
does not consider herself particularly different from other women. She says
that every woman is able to work miracles. She does what her soul desires. And
as a creative person in the hours of inspiration experiences the flight of
fantasy, thinking about their beautiful creations, because women are created to
make the world around themselves beautiful.
Tamara’s husband Simon
Leviev, speaking about his beloved wife, stresses that she creates a special
atmosphere in the house, constantly radiates good and love, charges one smile
or gentle look, sprinkles, warms everyone around: “Our wise men say that the
wife is the light of the husband’s eyes. It gives him the opportunity to stand
on his feet. Like a wall, it surrounds him, guards him and protects him. And it
is as if it were said about my Tamara».
– Tamara, tell us about your
passion. Why the ribbons? What is necessary for such an extraordinary style of
embroidery?
– The art of silk ribbon
embroidery is one of the main forms of applied artistic mastery and is a very
fashionable trend in America. Using this technique one can create whole
paintings, embroidered handbags, hats, gloves, dresses, blouses, curtains,
tablecloths... Made of silk ribbon, the flowers seem natural; they will
decorate any interior and wardrobe. In the nineteenth century, this kind of art
appeared in England. The New Zealand craftsmen, who became one of the best embroiderers,
then intercepted the embroidery. Soon this kind of art spread to the United
States. I have been addicted to this interesting craft for about fifteen years.
To embroider one needs hoops
- they can be round, square, oval, rectangular, and of course, the ribbons
themselves. It is best to use special silk ribbons for embroidery. If it is not
possible to get such ribbons, it is acceptable to use artificial silk and satin
ribbons. The most beautiful embroidery is obtained by using ribbons of natural
shades. Some ribbons can be washed; they are made of high quality fabric. Paint
must be picked up correctly, so as not to spoil the tape.
Usually I pick up the paint myself, as needed, and paint it. This process is very laborious and requires special attention to silk ribbons. After their coloring I let them dry, and then iron them. Sometimes you have to paint the flowers after the job is done. For the finished picture of volumetric embroidery I select special deep frames (1.5 inches) and put them under the glass, which protects from moisture and from sunlight.
Also, for embroidery silk
tapes we need special needles - thick, with a wide elongated ear. Sinel needles
have a sharp tip, knitted (tapestry) - blunt tip. Needles differ in numbers -
the smaller the number, the bigger the needle. The choice of needle number
depends on the width of the tape and thickness of the fabric. Needles 24 - the
smallest, they are used for embroidery of silk ribbons from 1-4 mm thick. The 18-22
needles are suitable for 7 to 32 mm thickness tapes. It is better to choose a
gold-plated needle: the galvanic coating does not allow it to rust, so it will
always be easy to slip into the fabric. The fabric should match well with the
tape.
Silk ribbon embroidery is an
interesting hobby that allows you to create very beautiful and exquisite
products.
In all my compositions I
embroider a small bee. Thanks to the bees there are so many flowers on our
planet. The most ancient plants on Earth were perfectly reproduced by spores,
like ferns, for example. But with the arrival of the bees, which were engaged
in pollination, the flowering plants began to spread faster. So I chose the
working bee as a symbol of my work.
– How do your family members
feel about your embroidery? Who do you trust to evaluate your work?
– For me, the unconditional
authority is my family - my husband, children, daughter-in-law, son-in-law and
grandchildren. Most often is my husband. He is an excellent expert, I like his
assessments and remarks, he can say where and what could be made more elegant.
I accept his comments with pleasure, although I am very self-critical.
– What advice can you give
to women who can’t find something to do?
– My main advice is not to
dwell on the household, not to be afraid of making mistakes, to try to create.
I encourage everyone to do any kind of needlework, because it is a very
heartfelt homework. This kind of creativity has turned my whole life. I told
myself - the time would come, and I would learn this kind of needlework. I did
it, you will too! Believe in yourself, and you will succeed.
When I saw the work of
Tamara Levieva, I couldn’t help but admire her every work. Embroidered flowers
are so lively and harmonious that they cannot leave anyone indifferent.
Especially impressive embroidery with lily of the valley. You can see that this
work involved different techniques and incredible skills.
– What are your plans and
wishes for the coming years?
– I really want to visit my
parents' grave in Israel; I haven’t been there in a long time. I wish all the
world and, of course, Israel to achieve peace and friendship with all people.
– Who are the lucky ones do
you give your works to?
– Usually I give to my
beloved people - children, daughters-in-law, son-in-law, granddaughters,
brothers, sisters, nephews, nieces and very close friends. I value every job I
do, and I care about all of them, because I put my soul into every one of them.
Every work is my creation.
– Tamara, tell me please, how
would you describe yourself? What you value in life? What do you consider
valuable in relationships between people?
– I love telling the truth,
not pretending to be someone I’m not. If anyone wants to be in contact with me,
I will gladly accept and communicate with this person. I don’t like when people
lie and when they use lies against gullible people.
I value the health and well
being of my beloved family, my brothers and sisters, my dearest people and
friends. And I value time! Yes, time that inevitably flies. Most appreciate
sincere relationships between people.
Mostly I like to be with myself and all my free time I devote to my
hobby and my family. By the way, soon we will celebrate the 75th anniversary of
my beloved husband Simon Leviev. I would like to congratulate him on the pages
of your magazine:
My dear Simon! The house of
our life consists of two halls - the waiting room and the achievement hall. I
want you to go from one to the other as much as possible. And in order to leave
your mark in the hall of achievements you will need patience, health, courage and
luck, which I sincerely wish you from the bottom of my heart!
– Many thanks to you, dear Tamarochka, for an interesting conversation. We also wish you creative inspiration and happiness in your personal life, and also join in your congratulations to Semon Leviev, sincerely congratulate him on a wonderful anniversary! Live happily ever after for many, many years!
Read the entire magazine №255
Raya Kandhorova-Davydovа
