In the past, majority of the females knew how to make plaques, today not all women make plaques. Weaving is usually done on seasonal basis usually through the winter months. From spring to summer, weaving of coil plaques are at there lowest productions. Galletta grasses and yucca are harvested in the late summer and are then processed for weavings. The dyeing of these stripped yucca is then processed with some natural and man made dyes.
Some coloring is done by natural drying from snow and other natural elements.
The designs and pictures you see are mainly of kachinas, animals, colored corn, rain clouds, flowers and other designs that are of importance to the Hopi people. Many of the coil plaques are collector items. By origin, they are also believed to be used by men, journeying to the next world after death. Roberta Namingha , Shongopavi Village, Spider and Bear Strap Clan . I have been making plaques and baskets for at least 49 years.