San Cristóbal Verapaz
Alta Verapaz, Guatemala
Calada or open weave techniques are popular for huipiles in areas with a moderate climate like Alta Verapaz. Rows of calada weaving are often altered with rows of plain weave.
Unfinished hand woven huipiles or Maya blouses are also sold in local markets. Here a tailor is cutting out the neck of a three-panel piece. To complete the garment, the neck is hemmed and the sides are sewn up. Photo by Margot Blum Schevill 2005.
Markets throughout Guatemala now offer huipiles or blouses of machine-made fabric and machine embroidery. Photo by Margot Blum Schevill 2005.
In Baleu, an agricultural area about 40 minutes west of San Cristóbal Verapaz, Josefina Xoná Gualím weaves a calada or open weave panel on a back strap loom. Photo by Kathleen Mossman Vitale 2005.
Weaver Josefina Xoná Gualím, Baleu, and Rosalía Asig, an outreach worker for the local coffee pickers' association, enjoy chatting. Photo by Kathleen Mossman Vitale 2005.