A Folk Costume In Spite of the Pain

Elza Emīlija Mežmalis made this Abrene folk costume for her daughter Maiga Mezmale. Elza had learned handicraft skills – weaving, sewing, embroidery – in Latvia, at the beekeeping school in Vecbebri. The Abrene folk costume was made when Elza was 81 years old and suffering from arthritis, which she had acquired after sewing horse saddles for many years at Butler Brothers Saddlery in Brisbane. She continued to sew every day to keep her finger joints agile. The folk costume for her daughter Maiga was made using only materials from home, including parts of her daughter’s previous Nīca folk costume. Due to her health, Elza could not embroider the blouse designs, so she replaced them with ribbons she had woven herself. The bottom edge of the Abrene skirt was also woven by Elza. Maiga wore the national costume when participating in Australian Latvian Arts Festivals and other Latvian community events.