A stitch in time to save Egypt’s ancient tentmaking craft

Mohsen al-Khayami has for years watched sadly as his once lucrative craft business dwindled and fellow artisans deserted the ancient art known as Khayamiya, or tentmaking, for better-paying jobs. The 68-year-old, a master of one of Egypt's most traditional crafts, has been hand-stitching the decorative appliques that nowadays can range from wall hangings to bed quilts for more than half a century, so long that his customers have named him after his art. "I learned it when I was eight," he told AFP. "It took me years before I could master it and be able to finish a whole tapestry on my own." In days gone by, his craft was used to make tents and large tapestries but has evolve...

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