We’ve invited Jessica de Haas back to teach this popular workshop again in 2014. Here is your chance to escape winter, roll up your sleeves and make an extraordinary felted wool garment that will bring ooh’s and aah’s. For seven nights and eight days, from January 30 to February 6, you will experience the textile culture of Oaxaca, and create naturally dyed felt fabric that you will make into wearable art.
If you ever wanted to felt wool and use it to make a garment that is unique, comfortable and stylish, this is the place for you. If you want to build upon what you already know and add to your skill set, join us! We use easy-to-construct indigenous Mexican patterns to show off your design creativity. If you aren’t confident, don’t worry! The place itself is an inspiration.
Our expert instructor is fiber artist-clothing designer Jessica de Haas, from Vancouver, B.C., Canada. She is joined by Eric Chavez Santiago from Oaxaca, Mexico, who will demonstrate natural dyeing techniques. The wool roving we use is dyed by Eric who works with cochineal, indigo, wild marigold and other local plant sources.
About Your Instructors
Jessica owns the clothing design company Funk-Shui in Vancouver, B.C. and is an award-winning, internationally known fiber artist, fashion designer and teacher. Her work is published in leading books and magazines. She recently completed an Arquetopia artist residency in Oaxaca, and taught and exhibited at the Museo Textil de Oaxaca. See her website for bio and designs.
Eric Chavez Santiago, founding director of education at the Museo Textil de Oaxaca, is a weaver and natural dye expert. He has taught natural dyeing techniques in Oaxaca and at U.S. universities and museums since 2006.
I attended the workshop this past year (Feb 2013). Wow! Jessica was a fabulous instructor, practical and inspirational, and a total delight. The village of Teotitlan is an experience in itself and will immerse you in a totally different and vibrant world. The B&B and especially the meals were awesome and conversation around the table with other workshop participants was totally fun and absorbing — a bunch of creative, independent and feisty women! And, you can’t lose — even I made several shawls I’m very proud to wear. Highly recommended! –Leslie Larson
Our Itinerary
Working with Jessica in the courtyard of our B&B, we will first make pre-felts and samples. Then we will embark on creating lengths of felted fabric enough to make one garment. You can also choose to felt on silk or cheesecloth that results in lighter weight and beautifully draping fabric. After your fabric is dry, you will have the option to cut and sew it into one of several indigenous Oaxaca styles: the huipil (tunic), the blusa (blouse), rebozo (shawl), boufanda (scarf) or quechequemitl (cape), or modify the basic pattern into a design of your own. We give you a pattern book to choose your design!
This workshop is for all levels of experience! You do not have to be an artist or experienced felt-maker to attend. We welcome beginners who have never worked in hand felting and more advanced fiber artists. This is a perfect residency for university students, teachers and artists who may want to explore a different medium, too.
We will provide you with patterns for the basic indigenous designs that can be adjusted to fit. If you want to contemporize them, we can help you tweak and make adjustments. If you have sewing or pattern drafting experience and want to experiment on your own, you are welcome to work on an independent design project.
We are based in the weaving village of Teotitlan del Valle where for generations families have created wool textiles. During our time together, we will go on local field trips to gain design inspiration, and meet and talk with weavers who work with natural dyes. Some weave wool fabric for wearable art as well as sturdier floor and wall tapestries. We will see examples of the types of garments that can be created from the felted fabric we make.
Supplies to bring (preliminary list):
- Cotton cheesecloth, preferably pre-colored, 5 to 6 yards (3 to 4 meters) or more
- Embellishments: beads, sequins, buttons, ribbons, embroidery thread, yarn and other embellishments (we will also have a supply on hand that you can use, too)
- Non-stick shelf liner, 20 inches wide x 5 ft. long (minimum length), one roll
- Sewing kit: sharp scissors, needles, threads, tailor chalk
Note: The materials listed are enough to make one garment. If you wish to prepare a more complex or elaborate garment, we will offer more dyed wool roving for purchase and we suggest you bring more cheesecloth. We will provide a source list upon registration.
Here is what is included in your registration fee:
- all instruction
- 7 nights lodging
- 7 breakfasts
- 6 dinners
- naturally dyed merino wool roving for one garment
- silk yardage for nuno felting, enough for one garment
- pattern booklet and natural dye recipes
- sewing machine to share with needles, thread
- selected embellishments, yarns, threads
- guided visit to Oaxaca textile museum and galleries
Workshop is limited to 10 participants.
Daily Workshop Schedule: Arrive Thursday, January 30 and depart Thursday, February 6. 7 nights and 8 days with options to extend your visit.
Day 1, Thursday, January 30 – Arrive and settle in to your bed and breakfast posada in Teotitlan del Valle (we send directions)
Day 2, Friday, January 31 – Jump right in to make partial felts and laminate samples with silk and cheesecloth. We will make an actual mini- scarf during this session, as well as fabric samples. (B, D)
Day 3, Saturday, February 1 – Take a morning field trip to the village market and church for pattern inspiration from the local environment. After lunch we will work on designs using the partial felts and inspiration from the morning studies. (B, D)
Day 4, Sunday, February 2 – We take you on a field trip to visit Eric Chavez Santiago for an indigo dye demo. In the afternoon, Jessica will demonstrate her method for using acid dyes and free-motion embroidery. You’ll then start on making felt for your final project/garment. (B, D)
Day 5, Monday, February 3 – Continue working on your project. In the afternoon Jessica will demo the art of making felt flowers. (B, D)
Day 6, Tuesday, February 4 — Field trip to visit local silk weavers. Continue to felt, embellish, sew and finish your project. Completed project Show and Tell with photos before dinner. (B, D)
Day 7, Wednesday, February 5 – Oaxaca City Textile Walk and Shop with Norma (B)
Day 8, Thursday, February 6 – Departure (B)
(This is a preliminary daily schedule and subject to modification.)
Workshop Fee: $1,595 basic cost per person includes shared room and bath, double occupancy. Single occupancy with private bath, add $300.
Extension Options:
Option 1: Stay an extra day and take a Zapotec cooking class on Thursday, February 6, depart February 7. Includes one night lodging, breakfast, lunch, cooking class and recipes. $115 USD each. 2 person minimum.
Option 2: Friday, February 7, Ocotlan Market Day with stops to visit famous wood carvers, embroiderers, and potters. Excursion includes transportation, 2 breakfasts, 1 lunch, 2 suppers, and 2 nights lodging on February 6 and 7, with a February 8 departure. (Note: does not include cooking class on February 6. If you choose this option, Thursday, February 6 is on your own.) $165 per person. 2 person minimum.
Option 3: Cooking Class and Ocotlan Market Day Combo. Combine both Option 1 and Option 2 for a special price of $250 per person. 2 person minimum.
Arrive early or stay later! Add on nights in Teotitlan del Valle at $50 per night, or Oaxaca City at $125 per night. Let us know your preference and we make all the arrangements for you.
About Our Workshops, Retreats and Programs. We offer educational programs that are hands-on, fun, culturally sensitive, and offer you an immersion experience. Our workshop leaders are experts in their field, knowledgeable, have teaching experience and guide you in the learning process. Our goal is to enhance your knowledge while giving you time to explore and discover.
About Lodging and Accommodations. To keep this trip affordable and accessible, we stay in a local posada/guest house. The food is all house made (including the tortillas), safe to eat and delicious. Vegetarian options are available.
Your registration fee does NOT include airfare, taxes, admissions to museums and archeological sites, gratuities, liquor/alcoholic beverages, some meals and some transportation.
Deposits, Reservations and Cancellations. A 50% deposit is required to guarantee your spot. The last payment for the balance due (including any supplemental costs) shall be paid by December 15, 2013. We only accept Payment with PayPal. We will be happy to send you an invoice.
If cancellation is necessary, please notify us in writing by email. After December 15, 2012, no refunds are possible; however, we will make every possible effort to fill your reserved space. Your registration is transferable to a substitute. If you cancel before December 15, we will refund 50% of your deposit. We strongly recommend that you take out trip cancellation, baggage, emergency evacuation and medical insurance before you begin your trip, since unforeseen circumstances are possible.
To register or for questions, contact: normahawthorne@mac.com I am happy to set up a Skype call with you, too. Skype name: oaxacaculture
Pre-Hispanic Women’s Clothing Design: The Huipil Endures
Years ago, after I first arrived in Oaxaca, I discovered an incredible small book by Mexico City fashion designer Carla Fernandez. Taller Flora: Indigenous Dress Making Geometry of Mexico, Pre-Hispanic Origin (2006) is now difficult to come by. But, it has become my bible for easy-to-make, easy-to-wear, comfortable, flowing clothing that is versatile and beautiful.
The book is also my inspiration because it tickled an idea to develop the Felt Fashion Workshop several years ago.
During the week-long workshop, January 17-24, 2015, we use naturally dyed merino wool to make wet-felted cloth. Then, we sew it using the simple geometric patterns to construct the garments. Our instructor, Maddalena Forcella, is internationally-known for her work.
The results could be a jacket, a blouse, a shawl or scarf, a dress or a poncho. The quechquemitl is one of my favorites.
I was recently in Santa Fe, New Mexico, where I saw jackets, blouses and dresses made with felt, sewn and blocked, selling for $500 to $800 USD and more. And, United States clothing designer Eileen Fisher uses variations for many of her patterns including the asymmetrical merino poncho priced at $248 USD.
There is more to the huipil than an article of clothing. It is a symbol of womanhood, female creativity and personal experience.
In ancient Mexican culture, each community created identity by weaving a distinctive pattern into the cloth. And, there were different pattern variations for important life cycle events like weddings , births and baptisms. The woven cloth told a story about the village and the woman who created that particular garment.
Art of the Huipil: Mixed Media Workshop
Scheduled the week before the Felt Fashion Workshop, set to start on January 8, the Art of the Huipil is a hands-on experience taught by artist Lena Bartula. During the five-day session, participants create a huipil based on their own personal stories, using found objects and those we collect during visits to local weavers and markets. The result is a piece of art suitable for hanging, if you wish.
In January, Oaxaca days are warm and mild. Evenings are cool and comfortable. We offer a perfect getaway from winter that is safe and affordable.
You do not have to be an experienced artist or seamstress to attend. All levels are welcome. This is about having fun and opening yourself up to the possibilities of creative self-expression in an encouraging, friendly place.
Questions? Contact Norma Hawthorne.
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Posted in Clothing Design, Cultural Commentary, Oaxaca Mexico art and culture, Textiles, Tapestries & Weaving, Travel & Tourism, Workshops and Retreats
Tagged art, class, Clothing Design, culture, fashion, felt, huipil, Mexico, Oaxaca, workshop. course