Native American Collection

Oaxacan Weaving

The Valley of Oaxaca, 4½ hours due south of Mexico City, is a Mesoamerican melting pot. (Because the ethnic components are still distinct and visible, some folks prefer the metaphor "salad bowl".) Several pre-Hispanic cultures sprang up or flourished here, of which the Zapotec (ruins at Monte Alban) and Mixtec (ruins at Mitla) are the best known. It's hard to say how many of the current residents of Oaxaca State learned an indigenous language before they learned Spanish, but current estimates are all over 25%, and most are higher than that. The number is decreasing as the cultures fight to remain cohesive; but Oaxaca is still an ethnic kaleidoscope – and will remain so for at least the next generation or two.

If the languages have survived that well, other aspects of the culture surely have also, and the evidences are everywhere: the colorful festivals, the magnificent ruins, the traditional crafts. Of the crafts, weaving is the best known and probably the most developed. Its center is in the town of Teotitlán del Valle, about 30 km (19 mi) SE of Oaxaca city. Weaving using cotton and cactus fibers goes back more than two millennia, but the Spanish Dominicans changed everything when they introduced sheep and a foot-pedal loom, in the mid-16 th century. This changed both the materials used and the amount which could be produced. Today there is a highly developed art form utilizing standard motifs, to which the most highly skilled and renowned artisans often make their own, individualized modifications, which a local expert can spot.

Most of the designs in this collection are Zapotec; but Quetzalcoatl is Toltec, and the fish was originally Mayan. The Zapotec weavers "borrowed" both generations ago and incorporated them into their tradition, at least commercially. The projects can be used as wall hangings, table centerpieces, and chair or bench upholstering. Two of the designs also work well as the front and back panels of a handbag. They were adapted for needlepoint by Bill Sanders of BoonieLiving™, LLC and reproduced by Stitch One, Inc.

The Website http://www.rosengren.net/artisansinfocus/ has more info. Two excellent books are Stanton. Zapotec Weavers; and Takahashi. Mexican Textiles. If you visit the area, a good Spanish-, English-, and French-speaking guide is Suzanne Barbezat at Discover Oaxaca Tours ( www.discover-oaxaca.com ).

Blue and Red Panels

ITEM#	DESCRIPTION	SIZE	NEEDLEPOINT MESH SIZE
2010	Blue Panel	17" x 13"	10 count Zweigart™ mono mesh canvas with Waverly Woolcolor threads. White Canvas
2015	Red Panel	17" x 13"	10 count Zweigart™ mono mesh canvas with Waverly Woolcolor threads. White Canvas

Design blends colors of wools on large canvas. Traditional Zapotec stylized sun and border chart on large format paper by Bill Sanders. Makes a nice pair with Red Panel for use as a large purse. May also be finished as placemat or pillow cushion.

ITEM#	DESCRIPTION	SIZE	NEEDLEPOINT MESH SIZE
2035	Traditional Zapotec Weaving Fish	20" x 36"	10 count Zweigart™ mono mesh canvas with Waverly Woolcolor threads. White Canvas
2025	Traditional Zapotec Weaving Mat 1	17" x 31-1/2"	13 count Zweigart™ mono mesh canvas with Waverly Woolcolor threads. White Canvas

Traditional Zapotec Weaving: Fish--Design blends colors of brightly colored wools in ancient Mayan pattern. Chart on large format paper by Bill Sanders.

Traditional Zapotec Weaving: Mat 1--Design blends colors of wools in Zapotec stylized pyramids. Chart on large format paper by Bill Sanders. May be finished as a table centerpiece or wall hanging.

Navajo Bird

ITEM#	DESCRIPTION	SIZE	NEEDLEPOINT MESH SIZE
036	Navajo Bird	16"wide x 20" tall	18 count Zweigart™ mono mesh canvas with Waverly Woolcolor threads. Design color dyed canvas with chart included.

Inspired by the weavings of the North American Navajo, the Bird figure is repeated in detail on 18 count needlepoint canvas.

The Zapotec Weaving designs are offered with white Zweigart mono mesh canvas, Waverly Woolcolors 3 ply wool, large format chart, complete instructions for the basketweave and diagonal stitch. Beautiful blended wool designs.

Contact us for a store nearest to you at info@stitch1.com or Phone: (303) 442-6556.
Retailers may inquire for wholesale prices at info@stitch1.com or Phone: (303) 442-6556.

We will be glad to answer any questions you may have regarding pricing for all kits.

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