Walk into the Tejedores Pátzcuaro workshop in Pátzcuaro, Michoacán and you’ll hear the syncopated clacking of large, graceful flying shuttle looms.  Watch as cloth emerges from a taut array of threads, guided with patience and unwavering attention by skilled tejedores (weavers).

Tejedores Pátzcuaro was established in 2018 by Pátzcuaro native Dary Astrid Cortés Ramirez with three looms, three sewing machines and 8 tejedores 

A native of Pátzcuaro, Michoacán, Dary grew up spellbound by the beauty of local artisanal masterworks.  In particular, she was drawn to the textiles produced by master tejedores and their flying shuttle looms.   She saw opportunity to reinvigorate local textile weaving by melding traditional techniques, contemporary sensibilities and Fair Trade practices.

Now Tejedores Pátzcuaro boasts nine skilled and novice tejedores, ranging in age from 15 to 80.  Weavers create fabric on vintage flying shuttle looms, the apparatus that has streamlined weaving from the Industrial Revolution forward.  Each one of Tejedores Patzcuaro’s looms has a unique history, having been sourced, collected and carefully restored to working condition after years of disuse.  

On these restored looms, each tejedor produces eight to twelve meters of cloth per day, painstakingly intertwining the urdimbre (warp / vertical threads) with the trama (weft / horizontal threads).  The thread, from the State of Pueblo, is either spun from wool, cotton or an even more durable blend of cotton and polyester.  The resulting cloth is destined to become home           goods, clothing, upholstery and even artwork.   

An artisan from Tejedores Patzcuaro will be demonstrating the intricate operation of the flying shuttle loom during the Feria Maestros del Arte.

ARTIST INFORMATION:

101 Las Palmas

Pátzcuaro, Michoacán

WhatsApp 434-154-0471

daestudiotextil@gmail.com