A Shirt Embroidered by Mum

Shirt and woven ribbon. Made by Emma Zemītis (1900–1965) in the late 1940s, in Germany.

Emma Zemītis made this folk costume shirt for her son Juris around 1947, when they lived in the “Saule” refugee camp in Geesthacht, Germany. It was made from British army dish towels. The woven ribbon was made by Juris’ schoolmate Vija Vilde – it was the very first ribbon she ever wove. Juris wore the shirt while dancing folk dances in Germany, and later, in Australia.

Donated by Juris Zemītis; from the collection of the Latvians Abroad Museum and Research Centre (LP2015.108-109).

Dancers wearing Latvian folk shirts at the “Saule” DP camp in Geesthacht, Germany, in the late 1940s. Donated by Juris Zemītis. From the collection of the Latvians Abroad Museum and Research Centre.