Oaxaca is Textile Heaven

Oaxaca City, Mexico is located a little under 300 miles southwest of Mexico City and is textile heaven.  Upon arriving we quickly discover the bright boxy hand embroidered women’s blouses or huipils. Skirts, handbags, men’s shirts  and placemats and napkins are also embroidered and available to visitors to this charming city. Native costumes lend a festive air to the city as we wander the streets and dive into the markets. 

We shop for lovely rugs loomed in local workshops throughout the state of Oaxaca.  The finer pieces are made with hand spun and naturally dyed wool yarns. We watch as artisans grind locally available natural materials to produce deep colors. The rare cochineal bug produces the lovely reds; add lime juice (acid) for oranges and baking soda (alkaline) for purples.  Plants provide marigold flowers for rich gold colors; indigo for blue and pomegranates for browns. 

Shopping is fun in the outlying villages (the best prices and quality are often found here), in the textile market, the new textile museum and in various shops throughout the city.  We wander the streets and run into artists who are peddling their work and enjoy being in textile heaven.