LEBADES
HANDWOWEN LUXURY FROM LESVOS
Keeping Greece's Textille Traditions Alive in Lesvos
Lebades AMKE is a Lesvos-based non-profit dedicated to preserving Greece’s centuries-old weaving and embroidery heritage.
Through hands-on workshops, community partnerships, and artisanal production, we keep traditional textile techniques alive—connecting past and present, and empowering local artisans for the future.
Discover the whole project "LEBADES"
When one person’s artistic vein met another’s business genius.
Perfectly Imperfect
At LEBADES all our products are handmade and each piece is unique. For this reason, we teach to our audience the beauty of unevenness and the perfection of any imperfection. We believe that these imperfections of handmade yarn or any technique add to the charm and natural beauty of the fabric! Each piece is unique and beautifully imperfect, just like people
Authentic, Ethically Sourced Textiles
Every item in our online store is hand-woven on a traditional loom, never premade or mass-produced. Minor variances in color, weave tension, or trim are celebrated as hallmarks of true craftsmanship—proof that no two textiles are ever identical. We source fibers from trusted, eco-conscious producers: Greek cotton grown without synthetic pesticides, wool from local flocks managed without mulesing, and silk from ethically run silkworm farms. Occasionally, we incorporate recycled yarn spun from pre- and post-consumer waste.
In celebration of World Environment Day, Lebades invites you to a hands-on seminar exploring the full cycle of wool—from fleece to finished yarn. Join us to learn how this precious material, generously provided each year by our local sheep, can be processed and transformed rather than discarded.
Join us for a truly enchanting evening on Saturday and Sunday, June 14 and 15, 2025, from 5:00 PM to 8:00 PM. Set against the backdrop of history and natural beauty, this special gathering will take place in the lush garden of the Goutos-Alepoudelis Mansion, located at Kavetsou 18 in Mytilene. Nestled beneath the sprawling branches of an ancient silk-floss tree, the setting exudes an air of timeless charm, offering a serene and captivating ambiance. Whether you seek inspiration, connection, or simply the pleasure of a delightful summer evening, this event promises an unforgettable experience in one of Mytilene’s most treasured locations.
From Thread to Textile On traditional looms, our weavers interlace each yarn with precision and care, then apply final touches that elevate durability and beauty.
- Warping the Loom: Laying out the vertical threads to define pattern repeat
- Weaving Techniques: Plain, twill, and Lesvian motif patterns
- Fulling & Blocking: Washing and steaming to set weave and shape
- Hand-Finishing: Trimming, fringe-tying, and quality inspection before the final reveal
Hand-Twist to Hand-Touch Our artisans spin the carded wool into strong, even yarns, then dye them in small batches to achieve rich, lasting colors. Every skein reflects both technique and terroir.
- Drafting: Controlling fiber thickness for consistent yarn weight
- Spinning: Wheel-or spindle-spun for smoothness and strength
- Plying & Setting: Twisting multiple strands to lock in structure
- Vegetable Dyeing: Bathing yarns in plant-based dyeworks for vibrant, eco-friendly hues
From Farm to Fiber We begin by sourcing the softest, ethically-raised wool from local Lesvos shepherds. Each fleece is selected for quality and character before being prepared for transformation.
- Shearing & Sorting: Hand-selecting fleeces for staple length and fiber fineness
- Scouring: Gentle washing to remove lanolin, dirt, and vegetable matter
- Carding: Aligning fibers into smooth, fluffy batts ready for spinning
- Natural Dye Harvest: Identifying and collecting local plants (sumac, madder, walnut) for eco-dying
