page_title: Handcrafts and folk art in the State of Mexico
section_title: Textiles
hierarchical_section_title: Handcrafts and folk art in the State of Mexico / Types of handcrafts / Textiles
caption_attribution_description: English: Sample of rug in progress outside the rug cooperative of San Pedro Abajo, Temoaya, Mexico State
context_page_description: The Mexican State of Mexico produces various kinds of handcrafted items. While not as well documented as the work of other states, it does produce a number of notable items from the pottery of Metepec, the silverwork of the Mazahua people and various textiles including handwoven serapes and rebozos and knotted rugs. There are seventeen recognized handcraft traditions in the state, and include both those with pre Hispanic origins to those brought over by the Spanish after the Conquest. As the state industrializes and competition from cheaper goods increases, handcraft production has diminished. However, there are a number of efforts by state agencies to promote these traditions both inside and outside of Mexico.
context_section_description: The making of textiles in particular is both economic and cultural. Most is done in indigenous communities such as the Mazatecos, Nahuas, Mazhuas and Otomis, and have designs the identify wearers as part of those communities. The Otomis and Mazahuas are particularly known for their embroidery. Towns noted for their textiles include Jiquipilco, Tejupilco, Temascaltepec, Temoaya, Valle de Bravo, Zacazonapan, Toluca and Tenancingo. In general items such as napkins, tablecloths, sheets, curtains, blouses, aprons, sets for kitchen and bathroom, can be found along with rugs. Two traditional garments that are still seen include the poncho like quechquemitl , and a traditional shawl-type garment called a rebozo. In the State of Mexico, most woven pieces are wool or cotton/wool. Textiles include pieces woven from a cotton/wool mix, often decorated with multicolored flower and animal designs arranged geometrically on the cloth. The decorations used to have religious symbolism, but this as mostly been lost.
  Weaving can be done on either a backstrap loom, mostly in indigenous communities or wood frame pedal looms, introduced by the Spanish in the colonial period. Xonacatlan and Ameyalco are two communities that still use the backstrap loom, with pedal looms used in communities such as Coatepec Harinas, Chiconcuac, Texcoco, San Felipe del Progreso, Xonacatlán, Guadalupita. Guadalupita, San Felipe del Progreso and Xonacatlan are particularly known for the making of serapes of naturally dyed wool in this manner.
  The rebozo is woven in places such as Jilotepec, Tejupilco, Calimaya and especially Tenancingo. The work that goes into making the garments is generally divided among several artisans, specializing in a particular process: dying (especially if the ikat method is used), weaving and knotting the fringes. The rebozos of Tenancingo are made with commercial cotton thread and often tied with the ikat method to make traditional designs with names such as arco de Granada, flor de haba, labor doble, llovizna, palacios, venados, ratoncitos and coyotes.
  Guadalupita (full name Guadalupe Yancuitlapan) is a small town which has been known for the making of wool garments for over 200 years. Weaving is used to make items such as serapes, bedcovers and overcoats, while knitting techniques are used to make sweaters, caps, gloves, stockings and more. The most traditional of these textiles are made from local wool, dyed, carded and spun by the craftsperson. However, this craft is dying out as the region becomes more industrialized and younger people go elsewhere to find work as the textile production pays too little.
  In the Otomi town of Temoaya, the making of oriental style knotted rugs was introduced in 1969 as an initiative of the Bank of Mexico. While the making of these rugs is not native to the region, the native skills with textiles, especially knotting, lent itself to the craft. These rugs are made with indigenous and colonial era designs, with over 250 variants depending on colors and patterns. These rugs average 140,000 knots per square meter, made of 100% virgin wool over cotton threads, and take between fifteen to twenty days to complete a piece sixty by ninety cm.
caption: Knotted rug in progress at the rug cooperative of San Pedro Abajo, Temoaya
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