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Norma Writes for Selvedge Latin Issue
Why We Left, Expat Anthology: Norma’s Personal Essay
Norma Contributes Two Chapters!
- Norma Schafer and Oaxaca Cultural Navigator LLC has offered programs in Mexico since 2006. We have over 30 years of university program development experience. See my resume.
Study Tours + Study Abroad are personally curated and introduce you to Mexico's greatest artisans. They are off-the-beaten path, internationally recognized. We give you access to where people live and work. Yes, it is safe and secure to travel. Groups are limited in size for the most personal experience.
Programs can be scheduled to meet your travel plans. Send us your available dates.
Designers, retailers, wholesalers, universities and other organizations come to us to develop customized itineraries, study abroad programs, meetings and conferences. It's our pleasure to make arrangements.
Our Clients Include *Penland School of Crafts *North Carolina State University *WARP Weave a Real Peace *Methodist University
Tell us how we can put a program together for you! Send an email norma.schafer@icloud.com
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Manta Cotton: Handwoven in Oaxaca, Mexico
I’ve been getting quite a few inquiries lately about whether Manta cotton is still being woven in Mexico and if it is available with natural dyes.
What is Manta cotton? It is 100% natural unbleached cotton also known as “cotton crudo” or “wild cotton” or organic cotton. Typically it is used to make men’s shirts, called guayaberas. The cotton fiber is sturdier, more loosely woven and cool.
I asked my friend, Eric Chavez Santiago, director of education at the Museo Textil de Oaxaca about this. He says there is a designer/artisan from Oaxaca who has dyed manta with some natural dyes. His name is:
Juan Manuel Bautista
Macedonio Alcalá 407
045-9511875075
TEl. 5146839
tipicoalban@hotmail.com
Eric says that most of this manta is industrial, machine woven. It is then washed and dyed. It is hard to use natural dyes on the fabric and have the dye come out in a uniform color. You need very big dye pots and cotton does not take nicely to the the natural dyes. You can ask him to see photos of the material if you are interested in buying this.
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Posted in Clothing Design, Cultural Commentary, Oaxaca rug weaving and natural dyes, Textiles, Tapestries & Weaving, Travel & Tourism
Tagged art, blogsherpa, cotton, cotton crudo, culture, fabric, guayabera, manta cloth, Mexico, natural dyes, Oaxaca, postaweek2011, textiles, traditions, weaving