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Thursday, July 2, 2015

DC Crafts

There are many crafts being demonstrated at the Folklife festival in DC this week. These colorful yarn balls are dyed from natural products.

click on the picture to see details such as type of plant product used to dye the fibers.

 I liked the cochinilla that is also used in make up.
I think it's some kind of insect carapace. Check out that red!









They are using these fibers to weave cloth, rugs, knit hats, and do embroidery. I have pictures of each item to share but want to keep it down to a few each day.

Check out the rug on the left. The closely woven base plus the chenille raised effect.They use treadle looms but...
Mostly we saw men and women sitting flat on the ground holding a sort of loom and weaving the picture on their lap.

Seems uncomfortable to me!
Note they tie black yarn to the ends of their braids to make their hair look longer.

It took me a while to figure that out as it blended in so well.
They take a long time to pick apart the weft, in order to slide the new thread in. 
More tomorrow including carving, weaving, hats, embroidery and others.


So all in all we had a fun day, and this is what my husband purchased for me...

a lovely hand dyed rayon scarf and they put it in this bag

And you know how I LOVE a totebag! Especially a special one from a special day. The festival is called Pachamama which means Earth Mother.








either keep scrolling down for more post on Peru's crafts or go to this next one!
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14 comments:

  1. Michele McLaughlinJuly 2, 2015 at 6:17 AM

    I'm enjoying your posts on Peruvian crafts. My husband has done much work there and I love the things he brings back from there! Talk about unafraid of color!!! By the way, my husband says of all the places he has worked, the Peruvians are the most gentle. He loves going there...Happy Holidays! Mickie

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  2. gayleJuly 2, 2015 at 7:13 AM

    I'm also enjoying these posts! I wish I could have been there to pet each and every skein of yarn...
    Your scarf is beautiful - such a nice souvenir of a day of fun!

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  3. MariaJuly 2, 2015 at 9:24 AM

    Great post! Love the beautiful and colorful scarf!

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  4. AnonymousJuly 2, 2015 at 9:32 AM

    Cochineal and its close cousin carmine (also known as carminic acid) are derived from the crushed carcasses of a particular South and Central American insect and are used in all sorts of ways, not just as a fabric dye, i.e. it's what makes strawberry yogurt red, and was also used in Starbucks cake pops until customers convinced them to change to lycopene based dyes. The Central Americans were very crafty using ground beetles as fabric dye. Great photos and gorgeous scarf-what a pawsome score!

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  5. magistraJuly 2, 2015 at 9:37 AM

    That looks so interesting and fun!! I was planning on going to the Urban Craft Uprising in Seattle last weekend but I didn't feel well enough. I think there's actually two a year so maybe I haven't completely missed out on it for 2015. Don't you just love that name?!
    Beth

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    Replies
    1. magistraJuly 2, 2015 at 9:40 AM

      Oops! I forgot to say how much I love your scarf! I know you know that I do because, really, how could I not? But how unforgivable of me not to celebrate such a joyous acquisition with you!
      Beth

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  6. TerriJuly 2, 2015 at 10:26 AM

    Thanks for sharing the show with us.
    Your scarf is lovely and so delicate... so nice of your hubby to get for you.
    Hugs

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  7. AnnJuly 2, 2015 at 11:44 AM

    What an interesting show. Thanks for sharing.

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  8. Glen QuiltSwissyJuly 2, 2015 at 8:19 PM

    Thanks so much for sharing your trip to Peru!!!! The crafts are so beautiful.

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  9. JoanneJuly 2, 2015 at 9:39 PM

    Hi LeeAnna!
    It's great seeing the traditional folk art being kept alive and on tour!

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  10. JoanneJuly 2, 2015 at 9:39 PM

    Hi LeeAnna!
    It's great seeing the traditional folk art being kept alive and on tour!

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  11. Norma SchlagerJuly 3, 2015 at 5:04 AM

    For someone who is "not afraid of color", this show was right up your alley. Such scrumptious colors and textures! Love the scarf.

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  12. LisaJuly 3, 2015 at 3:15 PM

    How fun! I love the new scarf!

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  13. KajaJuly 5, 2015 at 11:09 PM

    Another great day out! These two Peru posts are so interesting and I love all the intense colours. I think my favourite is the decorated hat.

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