Russian artefacts

Today I went to Welcoming Languages at Glasgow University, an event to celebrate Refugee Week. People who used different languages were available to teach visitors a few words and phrases and to tell them about some of the history and culture of the language.
This was the Russian table. There were lots of embroidered cloths. The women said that traditionally a girl would start to learn embroidery when she was about 7 or 8 years old and would build up a collection of things to use when she got married. Her prospective husband's family would ask to see the embroidery so they could decide if she were suitable or not.
Very glad I didn't grow up with that tradition. I don't think I'd ever have got a man!