Known worldwide for its artistic and cultural heritage, Florence is a city where beauty takes shape not only in museums and monuments but also in the hands of artisans. From the goldsmith workshops of Ponte Vecchio to leatherworking studios, and through historic weavings and embroidery factories, Florence is a symbol of Italian excellence in the art of handmade. But I’d say, which city in Italy isn’t, in the end?
For centuries, Florence has been a center of high-quality textile production. Ancient silk and fine fabric manufactures made the city famous across Europe and beyond, passing down craftsmanship that today lives on in its shops and haberdasheries. It’s the perfect place for those seeking refined yarns, fine fabrics and unique accessories for embroidery and sewing.
That’s why I’ve chosen Florence as the second stop in this series of guides to must-visit places for embroiderers in Italy. With a special focus on the rest of Tuscany as well, because it’s always worth a day trip, especially if it involves useful shopping.
For anyone who missed the Milan guide, this series is part of a collaborative project I’ve been working on for several years: a global collection of embroidery shops. A list made up of recommendations from embroiderers for embroiderers, to celebrate the value of local businesses and specialized producers. Whether you’re looking for a historic shop, an innovative workshop, or a high-quality e-commerce, here you’ll find inspiration and reliable resources for your passion.
Campolmi Filati
Via Folco Portinari 19 R, 50122, Firenze (Italy)
I tried to come there 3 times but I seemed to visit during the long lunch-breaks . They are also closed Saturday.
But this store has the largest collection of knitting yarns, including hand-dyed, which are my favorites. I only bought the variegated Madeira cotton threads, which are very affordable. But if I have more luggage space for the bulky yarns, I would have bought the hand-dyed yarns (both cotton and wool), which are not available in Berlin.
Their prices are generally cheaper than in most stores, I think. And they have lots of yarns to choose from.
If you are also a needlepoint kit lover, there are some which are affordable, including a stamped Aida design of Florence itself.
Ricamo & Cucito
Via Guelfa 44R – 50123 Firenze (Italy)
This store has an attractive window display of finished needlepoints and cross stitched embroideries.
There are kits, like those from Dimensions and Permin of Copenhagen, including hard-to-find designs.
I started to like and collect these kits when I was making lots of cross stitched designs years ago. They have hundreds of patterns, mostly from the US.
What I really find inspiring, are the displayed embroideries. You get to see how some of the kits are finished. I really like the very fine Boticelli Madonna needlepoint (faces and skin are in petitpoint) and the very large Klimt needlepoint which also uses gold threads, just like Klimt used gold in his paintings.
Mirko Filati
Piazza di San Lorenzo 36R, 50123 Firenze (Italy)
Mirko Filati di Campi Antonella e Barbara is located in Piazza San Lorenzo 35-red.
Though the entrance is small, it is actually a large store. The store lady has been very patient that I am colorblind. She can speak good English.
At this store, you can start paying with credit card if your purchase is 20€ up, so be sure to bring cash.
I bought products I have not seen before, which inspired me in my projects, like the raffia and a knitting yarn which can be used to creat interesting textures.
Here I found rare DMC products like the cord, the satin (like rayon, but different) and scented threads.
Casa Cenina
Loc. Cenina, 184/A – 52010 Capolona (AR) (Italy)
Located in Italy, with choice of delivery services to Europe.
Huge range of specialist threads – Aurifil, Au Ver à Soie, Appletons, Kreinik, DMC etc as well as Zweigart linens by the metre.
Also has a loyalty scheme.
){kind=link}