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.
