An ancient tool that is more alive than ever
Also known as the two-bar loom, the origin of the waist loom traces back to pre-Columbian times. The waist loom is a relatively simple device, consisting of two wooden bars, a rope, and a waistband that holds the loom to the weaver.
One of the advantages of the waist loom is that it allows the weaver to have full control of the process. An experienced weaver can make variations of the texture or combine techniques that would be very hard to achieve in a different type of loom. Besides, as the waist loom is a light instrument, it is very easy to handle, and it can be used in any place, allowing to make parallel tasks while weaving.
The waist loom is ideal to make the traditional Mayan costumes, as they drape around the body without any cut or seaming, so all the edges of the fabric must be finished and the right size to fit the person’s size and height.
The garments made in waist loom stand out for their intricate designs and brocades. The making process of a ceremonial huipil can take months, and if we add the originality and mastery necessary to make these costumes, we can compare this textile art with no less than haute-couture. Every work defies creativity and portrays the personal story of the weaver and the symbolic universe of their culture. The weaves preserve an exclusive memory, which connects with a past full of myths, where every piece reconfigures and preserves the memory of its people.
