Società Cooperativa Lou Dzeut

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The Lou Dzeut co-operative was created in May 1989 by a group of women from Champorcher, following an exhibition of family linen from the past. Since then, they have worked with passion, dedication and tenacity to ensure that the cooperative could continue to maintain old traditions and continue an activity which, today as it was in the past, still represents an important adddition to family income.

Following the thread of memory, the Lou Dzeut cooperative continues the tradition of renowned craftsmanship, hand weaving hemp fabric, embroidering and creating household linen and other pieces which reflect a history, and a specific tradition guaranteeing their uniqueness and quality.

The name chosen for the cooperative, Lou Dzeut”, was not chosen by chance, as in the local dialect it has two meanings:

swarms, which as such could have flown off and become lost... or gathered in a beehive, starting an intense life of commitment, research and collective work.
sprouts, in the hope that they grow and become a tree which can support branches, flowers and fruit to the local community.

Nowadays the cooperative has old style wooden hand looms. Weaving on these looms, in which the hands and feet of the weaver move in turn, like cogs in a machine, is old-fashioned work – it is hard, demanding work, but fascinating nevertheless since quality comes before quantity.

In doing this high precision work, the embroiderers and the tailor draw on the extensive catalogue of pieces from past dowries: the practicality, strength and sober elegance of the garments and skill with which they were made still are fascinating today.

Three seamstresses, a sewing expert, weavers and lacemakers – some of them on the pay roll and others with freelance contracts – for whom the work is a significant source of income in these outlying areas as they would struggle to find other work which is compatible with their family commitments and farm work.