The M&Dusa textile company, founded in the 1960s in Samugheo (Oristano) and taken over by Marcella and Daniela Sanna in 2004, is acknowledged for its rich production of textiles, inspired by the traditional Sardinian weaving techniques and motifs. Carpets, delicate curtains, precious tablecloths and fabrics are mainly intended for home furnishings and the hotel sector. The atelier boasts, among its clients, important hotels and resorts on the Costa Smeralda. An ancient textile art, which only the skilled hands of women can recreate, is expressed intact and precious in the M&Dusa textile workshop, a small, all-female reality.

Tell us your story. How was "Tessile M&Dusa" born?

Tessile M&Dusa was born in 2004 when, together with my sister Daniela, we decided to take over "M&dusa textile cooperative", a small all-female entrepreneurial company, here in Samugheo, the town where we were born and raised. We bought the structure with the idea of ​​continuing a tradition that was born in the 70s (golden years for textile craftsmanship). Thus began our trips to Prato to buy looms, which for the factories were already too old, but for our type of weaving they were ideal. We decided to keep the name “M&dusa” for two reasons: because M&dusa in Samugheo is a legend and because the name contains mine and my sister's initials… a sign of destiny.

I still remember that when I was a child I passed through the streets of Samugheo and from every door, from every window you could see a frame: in all the houses the frame was part of a woman's daily life.

Our work is a manual work. The "pibiones" is a traditional technique of weaving grains, typical of Sardinia

Is there a person who influenced your choice to become an artisan?

Without a doubt it’s my aunt Basilia, an artisan during the Sixties and a great entrepreneur, who carried out her profession with dedication, love and passion for over 40 years. Not only did she pass on to me the secrets of weaving when, as a child, I went to her workshop, but she also instilled the curiosity towards an artisanal technique little known to most people.

How much does the territory influence your production?

I still remember that when I was a child I passed through the streets of Samugheo and from every door, from every window you could see a frame: in all the houses the frame was part of a woman's daily life. I remember my mother who, despite 5 children, always found the time to get to the loom. I was born and raised among the looms: Samugheo gave me what has become my job.

What are the textile techniques that you use in the realization of your creations?

Our work is a manual work. The "pibiones" is a traditional technique of weaving grains, typical of Sardinia; it can be a full or half full job. The "pibiones" can be so fine as to appear transparent, especially in thin fabrics such as curtains, tablecloths and blankets, or thicker "pibiones" for making rugs and cushions.

What is the most extravagant or particular project you have developed?

A carpet of 5 x 7 metres! Everything happened by phone: after visiting the M&Dusa website, the customer fell in love with a rug, and asked me if it was possible to have a large one. After hearing the measures, I was speechless ... The maximum width of a loom is 3 meters! After having studied the situation well, I proposed to the customer an additional carpet, 2 carpets worked and sewn all manually, up to the required size. It was a success!

Your workshop has been selected for the "ArtiJanus / ArtiJanas", a project by Fondazione di Sardegna with Triennale Milano and the Cologni Foundation. Working with a designer has been interesting, for you?

I had already worked on several projects with designers, but this time it's different: I was selected for a project in which I have to represent textile craftsmanship, one of the flagships of Sardinia. I want to do it the best I can for my community too: Samugheo is the town of weaving and I am sure that, together with Serena Confalonieri, we will be able to create something that best represent not only tradition, but also innovation and the generativity of a fruitful dialogue.

How was your relationship with Serena Confalonieri?

I immediately had a good relationship with Serena, and seeing her enthusiasm as I showed her my work made me have full confidence in her; I'm sure there will be a good collaboration and that it will be a wonderful experience.

Is there a moment that you remember with particular emotion?

Every time an interview is done for me it is always an emotion, because when I look back I see where I have arrived and this makes me proud.

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