Mallorcan Tongues Fabric, the Latest in Summer Decoration

You'll find it on bags, wallets, pendants, but also on kitchen aprons, tablecloths, and table covers... Mallorcan tongues fabric used to be used for curtains and cushions, but gradually its use has transformed into a fashion trend, not only within the kitchen in the world of accessories, but also as home decor, especially in summer.

This fabric features the same identical design on both sides, always with very simple and blurred geometric shapes. It uses vivid colors of all kinds, although traditionally, blue hues extracted from natural indigo predominated.

In Mallorca, this fabric is known as "roba de llengües" or tongues clothing, and it's a prime example of how an artisanal product can reinvent itself and be repurposed for many more uses than originally imagined, without losing its authentic nature.

The Latest in Summer Decoration with Mallorcan Tongues Fabric

Modernity has strongly imposed itself and decided to reintroduce tongues fabric for use in all kinds of contemporary decorations, both indoors and outdoors of a home.

Nowadays, terraces are adorned with these multicolored fabrics, whether on loungers, benches, umbrellas... And it's not just the tongues on the fabric. Many designers and decorators use the patterns from this typical fabric to paint walls, decorate pots, or create beautiful tiles for garden paths, or hang on the wall to give it a more Mediterranean touch.

There are no interior barriers either: from complete tableware sets that use flamboyant shapes to stand out, to bowls, jugs, vases, and even bathroom articles.

Rooms are decorated with Mallorcan fabrics, and windows display the island's colors to the wind.

The Origin of Mallorcan Tongues Fabric: Ikat

Mallorcan tongues fabric has been woven on the island's looms since time immemorial. The technique used is thousands of years old and is known as Ikat. Its origin is Eastern, based on dyeing threads before weaving.

Thanks to the Silk Road, this fabric reached Europe and enjoyed a golden age in France, where it gained great popularity. However, the French Revolution prompted many artisans to flee to Mallorca seeking refuge, bringing with them the Ikat technique and all the secrets for crafting and coloring fabrics.

It gets its name from the tongues, reminiscent of their namesake flames in flare-ups, also known as flamboyant. To achieve these shapes, the craftsman has to tie waxed cotton strands and color the fabric according to the intended design. The wax ensures that the dye only affects the defined areas.

It's a fairly complicated process because the exact spot must be tied so that the pattern appears, and with the use of various colors or more abstract forms, it becomes even more complex.

This fabric upholstered furniture, was used as wall coverings for the large Mallorcan manor houses of the 18th century, or made into cushion covers and lampshades, among other uses.

The year 2022 was crucial for this type of fabric as it carved out an important niche in the world of design, in all its variations.

From Mallorcan Homes to Designs of All Kinds

Mallorcan homes have made good use of the appeal and possibilities of tongues fabric: it's fresh, cheerful, modern despite its ancient existence, and highly versatile. Now, it can also be found in a wide variety of objects.

Fashion, interior design, and decoration magazines showcase it as a standout option for projects seeking a new look or aiming to recapture a Mediterranean vibe.

Brands like Gucci, Marc Jacobs, Dries Van Norten, or Balenciaga have featured it on runways, including it in their collections, haute couture salons, and workshops of designers and interior decorators worldwide.

In Mallorca, it's still possible to see some of the workshops where tongues fabric is made. To do this, you can visit Pollença, Lloseta, or Santa María del Camí, charming villages where you can spend a different and very enjoyable day.

Furthermore, tongues fabric continues to reign in Mallorca's weekly markets, where it's available by meters or in bulk to be used as needed, or where you can buy all kinds of items featuring this fabric of Eastern origin, brought to the island by French artisans in the 18th century.