Katie wrapped in apron and head scarf with market apron vendor
What does the stylish Zapotec woman wear? Why, an apron, of course! Aprons with ruffles, embroidery, scalloped detailing, lace, deep pockets and a secure button closure with waist tie are the ubiquitous fashion statement in the Tlacolula valley of Oaxaca. The center of apron fashionistas is the Sunday Tlacolula Market. There, an entire aisle is devoted to the apron and accompanying colorful headscarves. Aprons come in all variations on the theme of checkered, gingham-like, cotton or cotton/poly blend fabric. They can be simple straight edge or more complicated, heavily scalloped at the hemline and bodice. Price depends upon complexity of style and amount of embroidery. Aprons can be magical, embroidered with figures of birds, flowers, animals, and fruit. The fancier the apron, the more it costs.
Polly chooses hers, and ...
Gringas like aprons, too. After we buy ours and wear them, we get big smiles from the locals. The fun is in the fashion show for each other, shopkeepers and passers-by. Almost like dress-up when we were girls 
What’s amazing is that you can be wear any plain ‘ole thing underneath, and a great apron from Tlacolula just adds color, fun and spark to life. When you come to a village in Oaxaca you will see that the apron is just part of everyday dressing. For us, it’s a way to enjoy another dimension of Oaxaca. Now, we are ready for cooking class!
Robin finds one that suits her at the local market in Teotitlan del Valle.
Helen loves this one with brown tones.
Quechequemitl Pattern: Sew Your Own Pull-over Shoulder Cover
Say KECH-KEH-MEE. Here’s a textile museum definition of quechquemitl?
Some people call it a shawl. It isn’t. Others say it’s a poncho. It isn’t. It’s not a scarf … exactly. It’s two pieces of rectangular cloth sewn together at a counterintuitive place for the likes of me, finished with a bound hem or some fancy crotched edging or fringes to become an elegant summer drape over a sleeveless dress. A wool one does just fine in winter to keep necks and shoulders snuggy warm.
Women from Mexico handy with needle and thread embellished their quechquemitls with incredible embroidery and fringes. Some patterns were woven into the cloth as it was formed on the loom.
Today, I finally got to the piece of Tenancingo ikat handwoven cloth I bought a few weeks ago in the Tlacolula market. I don’t crochet, but I do sew (when there’s time). I find it very relaxing and creative!
First, I started with two pre-washed and dried pieces of cloth, 14-1/2″ wide x 27″ long. Here’s the pattern I took a photo of at the Museo Textil de Oaxaca where their show featuring quechquemitls is a knock-out. Images above are from the show.
Two pieces of equal size.
Sew together at the dotted line. I used a sewing machine.
Here’s the tricky part — where to connect the remaining seam. Do you see it? The short edge connects to the long side. The dotted line in Diagram 4 below shows you where the stitching line is located.
Wearing the finished product and trying to take a photo of it! I don’t have a suitable model or mannequin. On the right, I pieced it together with pins before sewing. Here’s the prototype sample (below left) at the Museo Textil de Oaxaca.
Then, I discovered, there’s an entirely different way to sew the pieces together, so there’s a flap at the neck opening. See if you can figure this one out (below).
There wasn’t a diagram.
This handy little cover-up is great for the beach, pool, or to keep your shoulders protected from the sun. When I wear it in a V, it doubles for a nicely draping scarf. Some indigenous women even wear theirs on their heads.
Let me know if you make one and send me photos of how yours turned out.
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Posted in Clothing Design, Cultural Commentary, Oaxaca Mexico art and culture, Textiles, Tapestries & Weaving, Travel & Tourism
Tagged blogsherpa, Ikat, indigenous clothing, Mexico, Oaxaca, pattern, poncho, postaweek2011, quechquemitl, rebozo, Sewing, shawl, textiles