Comments

Mon, 12/27/2010 - 14:19

francorios (not verified)

Great! Most computers don't know the first thing about looms.

Can you post another picture of the loom?

Mon, 12/27/2010 - 14:36

Textwinder (not verified)

Yes, Francorio!Trying to do that right now. I was, in fact, looking at YOUR page as you mentioned something about primitive weaving. I've tried to upload image here, but could't, so will update the project, again (sorry if that's a bother.)

 

Mon, 12/27/2010 - 14:56

Textwinder (not verified)

Hi Franco,

I was trying to take another picture of the loom -- but there is very little "loom" there!  It's VERY simple and self-made:  Two poles 2 meters long, 5cm x 7cm.  I drilled holes at 20cm intervals. Two strong wooden bars 150 cm wide, at top and bottom held in place by 1cm leather straps (mine are 150 cm long) for holding the weave tense. I have a light wooden pole for maintaining "la cruz" -- or cross of threads --  and a bamboo pole for a string heddle (to open the shed).  That's it. I think it is on the same principle as a backstrap loom, as far as I can tell, but it stands on it's own and maintains it's own tension. There are a few different ways of setting up the vertical threads so as to be able to produce different patterns -- on the diagonal, for instance -- and I pick up threads to make designs.  I'm in San Rafael, Mendoza, Argentina, so I learned this locally, though there's little "discussion" available to me here. If you want more info, glad to give it.

Mon, 12/27/2010 - 15:33

whiteoakgrandmother (not verified)

I was also interested in seeing more of your loom. I did a search on "primitive Argentina loom" and got several pages that use the term Mapuche loom. Some more modern ones use threaded rod tensioning devices, but some such as the ones on this site look much like yours: http://www.galenfrysinger.com/weaving_mapuche_chile.htm The biggest difference between what you are doing and Navajo weaving appears to me to be that what you show is warp-faced and Navajo weaving is weft-faced. Maintaining the warp width would be a little different, and you might need more tension that your loom gives you now. P.S. Love the poncho! Please post a picture when it is finished.
Mon, 12/27/2010 - 18:15

Alison (not verified)

Great fabric.  When you post more pictures, could you please include close-ups of the border?  It it a traditional pattern symbolizing something specific?

Thanks!

Mon, 12/27/2010 - 20:24

bolivian warmi

I would like to know more about the Pehuenche group. A google search tells me that they are part of the Mapuche group. Are there many differences in their style of weaving?

Sun, 01/02/2011 - 21:41

Textwinder (not verified)

Hi Everybody! Thank you very much for all the comments. Sorry I did not see them before now.  I imagined I would have received notification of comments somehow, so I never thought to look before now!  I am not entirely sure about the differences between Mapuche and Pehuenche weaving.  The Mapuche, rather than a tribe, is a collection of tribes that include the Pehuenche.  My 1st teacher, who is of Pehuenche background herself, kept insisting it was Pehuenche weaving we were learning, but I was never able to get to the bottom of what the difference might be.  I am trying to go to Southern Chile this year, to Temuco, where the CholChol Foundation seems to be the headquarters of Mapuche weaving. (Tried to go last year, but got stopped in Santiago by the earthquake!)  Here is some info: http://www.cholchol.org/en_index.php 

The design for the poncho is very loosely "based on" a 19th century poncho made for the Argentine writer Ricardo Guiraldes. But I changed the b/w design to one of my own devising. Having only been able to acquire fairly vague information regarding the meanings of Mapuche/Pehuenche designs to date, I didn't want to "misuse" any sacred symbols in anticipation of taking textiles to Temuco for a cultural exchange.

To WhiteOakGrandmother, ah, yes, I see what you mean about the tension.Thanks!

Fri, 09/23/2011 - 07:34

crismera (not verified)

Hola, te felicito, porque es precioso, yo tambien soy Argentina y no te imaginas como me gusta ver trabajos asi.Yo solo soy aficionada.un beso,

Cristina Mera

Tue, 10/18/2011 - 18:50

francorios (not verified)

Have you finished the poncho yet? Any more pictures? Have a good day!
Finished Length Unit
yards
Finished Width Unit
yards
Length Off Loom Unit
yards
Length on Loom Unit
yards
Notes

This half is already done. I need to take new pictures, the second half is nearly done, but wow, is it difficult to find the time to complete projects these days. I would be interested in hearing from anyone else who does Pehuenche weaving.  I did one basic course in Argentina, and have been self-taught ever since. Unfortunately, I lack the terminology (in English) to explain in detail what I am doing. I do wonder if it would be difficult to change over to Navajo weaving from this knd of weaving. Please forgive any errors in posting, I'm new to this!  (eg. the computer told me that there is no such thing as a Pehuenche loom! lol!)

Number of Shafts
0
Project Status
Finishing
Sett Unit
epi
Width off Loom Unit
inches
Width on Loom Unit
inches