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Teotitlan – Weaving in Oaxaca

When traveling in the southern Mexican state of Oaxaca, I got to travel to Teotitlán, a small town specializing in wool and weaving.

Raw wool
Raw wool

One of the few places open on the afternoon when we arrived was a small cafe run by Teresa Lopez. It was attached to her weaving store which fronted from her family home and factory.

Carding the raw wool
Carding the raw wool

She showed us how she, and her family, carded the wool; cleaning and separating the fibers.

Mixing the dyes
Mixing the dyes
Mixing the dyes
Mixing the dyes with citric acid
Adding lime to the dye
Adding lime to the dye

The simple additives of acid and alkali  change the dyes through a limited spectrum.

Some wool after spinning and dyeing
Some wool after spinning and dyeing

 

Reddish colors derived from Cochineal Dyes
Reddish colors derived from Cochineal Dyes

 

The colors that her family is known for
The colors that her family is known for

I asked Teresa if there were specific things that her family of weavers was known for, and she showed me the above color group.

The full range of colors that her family produces
The full range of colors that her family produces

 

Teresa demonstrates weaving on one of her looms
Teresa demonstrates weaving on one of her looms

 

Her son Chuy with the stickers I gave him
Her son Chuy with the stickers I gave him

 

Teresa's mother shucking corn in the back courtyard
Teresa’s mother shucking corn in the back courtyard

 

Teresa and her family out to see the festival
Teresa and her family out to see the festival

Later that day, we were out to see the festival that we actually came to Teotitlán to see, when I saw Teresa and here family viewing from a side street. It took a bit of cajoling to get them all into the picture, but I think it was worth it for the impromptu family portrait.

Manuel Bazán & Teresa Lopez
Av. Hildago No. 26
Teotitlán del Valle,
Oaxaca, Mexico

Some of Teresa's finished weavings in her shop
Some of Teresa’s finished weavings in her shop

This Post Has 2 Comments

  1. lee

    Thanks for the acknowledgment.
    Another fabulous grouping!!!!!!!!

    1. Ken Storch

      and thanks for your pic too.

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