Tenancingo Artisans - Rebozo de Bolita Fabric, Estado de México
The technique of making these rebozos has been passed down through generations of families, many of which have dedicated themselves to this art for centuries.
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The production of rebozos has been one of the most important activities in the town of Tenancingo Degollado, Estado de México.
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The preparation and weaving of this fabric takes one month 🧡
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The name comes from the fact that the yarn is rolled into a ball (bolita).
The process:
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- The threads are prepared in "atole", a mixture which hardens them, and then they are left to dry for a couple of days
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- Once dry, the artisans begin to draw lines on the threads by hand, which is where the knots will be placed to separate what is to be dyed. Making the knots is a lengthy process as everything is done by hand
- Once dry, the artisans begin to draw lines on the threads by hand, which is where the knots will be placed to separate what is to be dyed. Making the knots is a lengthy process as everything is done by hand
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- The yarns are dyed using the Ikat technique, which creates patterns on the fabric based on knots, giving a marbled or ribbed appearance
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- After dyeing, the yarns are left to dry for another 2 days. Then it is starched to better set the colour and to give it a soft texture, and it is left to dry for two more days
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- Once dried, the knots are cut and the threads are rolled into a ball (bolita). Little by little the ball is unravelled to be placed on the loom and weaving begins
