The Investigation of Patterns and Weaving Techniques of Traditional Hand-Woven Fabrics in South Khorasan, Iran(Case studies: Khoshk, Khrashad, Gorid Bala, and Shuristan villages)

Hand-woven fabrics encompass the broad spectrum of handicrafts in the South Khorasan province, Iran, which have been highly regarded by the people of this region from both the artistic and practical point of views. This traditional art, which is known as "Tun”-weaving or "Tu"-weaving in South Khorasan, has widely been produced in almost all villages of this area and has played an important role in local entrepreneurship and family economy. Although much progress has been made today in the textile industry, the preservation of the traditional procedures and patterns is very important as a main part of the culture, history, and identity. The aim of this study is to introduce the original patterns, designs, and the weaving methods of traditional fabrics (Tun) in South Khorasan, especially in the Khoshk, Khrashad, Gorid Bala, and Shuristan villages. The type of this research is analytical with the qualitative approach, and the method of collecting data is literature review, as well as field studies. The results indicate that Tun-weaving product is a kind of fabric that is produced on a wooden handloom equipped with 2 or 4 heddles. The raw materials used for Tun-weaving were cotton and silk yarns in the past, and today, viscose yarns are used for this purpose. Chaparbaf, Genti, and Kheshti are the most common patterns that have been considered for Tun-weaving in most of the studied cases. These visual elements were taken from nature and engraved in the weaver's mind as the prototype.