Viera Praženicová
Ruffling is a demanding textile technique which was widespread throughout Europe during the Renaissance. It was used for modelling a chest ruffle and the shirtsleeves of noblemen. Numerous paintings and statues from the end of 15th and beginning of 16th century document the popularity of this technique. Iconographic materials from that time also document the occurrence of the ruffling technique in Slovakia. In the area of northwest Slovakia (Čičmany, Zliechov, Valaská Belá, Čavoj, Košecké Rovné and Košecké Podhradie municipalities), ruffling was used to model female folk costumes. The folk costumes here are still worn for festive events, and therefore this technique has been preserved.