All of our hand-woven 100% cotton fabrics were woven by
weaving cooperatives in different villages on a foot or treadle loom.
The treadle
loom was introduced by the Spanish to Mayan weavers shortly after the
Conquest in the 1500's. Following in the Spanish tradition, initially only
men were trained to use the more expensive and less mobile treadle looms.
The backstrap loom, used exclusively by women, was used long before the
arrival of the Spanish. Unlike the treadle loom, the backstrap loom
allows the weaver to brocade intricate designs into the fabric as it is
woven. (See our page on huipiles as examples of back-strap weaving.)
Both forms of weaving are still used in Guatemala today.
All fabrics are 36" wide unless otherwise noted.
Bands run horizontally along the entire length of the bolt or vertically
from selvage to selvage.
No returns on cut fabric but we are happy to
send fabric swatches.