Techniques

© Jeoffrey Guillemard

PRE-HISPANIC BACKSTRAP LOOM

The backstrap loom technique is an ancestral tradition of the Mayan women of Chiapas. The loom is tied to the end of a tree and the other end is held at the waist with a traditional mecapal. It has several components: a series of wooden rods used to determine the width of the fabric and to weave the threads. The rods are used to lift the even threads and create a "calado" or space between the two sets of threads into which the weft is inserted.

NEEDLE EMBROIDERY

This technique is performed on a fabric on which the drawing to be made is printed. The embroidery is done on top of this drawing, using needle and thread.

PEDAL LOOM

The pedal loom is based on a wooden structure through which the movement of the hands and feet, are used to spin each of the cotton threads which are intertwined in the smooth ones to later unite them to the comb, once the warp is ready the weaving begins.

WOOL WORK

This technique is carried out on a fabric on which the drawing to be made is printed. The embroidery, using needle and thread, is made on top of this line.

DYEING WITH NATURAL PROCESS

The dyeing is done on the wool with natural dyes that are collected around the community, such as seasonal plants, flowers, among others. The plants are boiled together with the wool and then left to rest for a couple of days. Finally the wool is washed and left to dry. This is how we obtain the "dyed with natural dye".

THE COLLECTION

Created for the home, ECLA's textile collection consists of cushions, tablecloths, placemats, table runners, kitchen towels, as well as shawls and small accessories: purses, bags, bracelets, among others.

QUALITY

The yarn we use is 100% cotton with natural dyes, machine washable. The color is obtained by synthetic dyeing, free of any harmful substances for both the manufacturer and the weaver. The quality of cotton becomes visible in its extraordinary resistance and its ability to maintain a strong and uniform color. The wool products are made by one of the association's groups. The process is carried out from their collective workshop. Once the wool is cut from the sheep, it is washed and carded to start spinning, with which we begin a weaving process with the pre-Hispanic backstrap loom. The dyeing of the wool yarn is done with vegetable dyes.