Learn to weave on a brocade-ready loom that you will take home

The backstrap loom goes back thousands of years and is one of the oldest known tools in the world. It evolved in several places, including the Western highlands of Guatemala. Mayan weavers continue to make traditional clothing for everyday use and for the textile market using this traditional loom.

Join us at the beautiful Fibershed Learning Center on Black Mountain Ranch near Point Reyes Station, CA, where we will learning this ancient skill from Sari Monroy Solís, whose paternal family comes from the Valle de Panchoy area of Sacatepequez, Guatemala (now called Antigua and San Antonio Aguas Calientes). To connect to her Kaqchikel community and elders, Sari weaves using the backstrap loom and teaches this art to others, especially fellow diaspora.

The class will focus on the traditional Mayan backstrap loom. You will learn on a brocade-ready loom that you will take home. The class will begin by learning how the body connects to the loom, the parts of the loom, and how to start plain weaving. Once comfortable with plain weaving, you will learn how to do single-side brocade using common motifs. You will learn the names and origins of these motifs and how to design your own.

Ready to start weaving? We will share a special treat from Guatemala at the end and talk about local fibers that work on these looms, warping, and what you can do with your finished piece.

Maximum 8 students.

Enroll here: eventbrite.com/e/617424602607

Included: a loom that is warped with cotton yarn, plus tools and cotton yarn for weaving

Bring: a cushion for more comfortable seating; personal snacks, lunch and beverages (a selection of teas will be served on site). We are in a rural location, so most people bring their lunch rather than drive to town.

Sari (Sarah) Monroy Solís lives in diaspora in Northern California. Her father came from the Mayan Kaqchikel community in the Valle de Panchoy area of Sacatepequez, Guatemala and her mother from the highlands of Veracruz, Mexico. Traditional weaving, restoring güipiles, and Mayan embroidery are some of the ways she maintains her connection to her community of elders in Guatemala. Foraging, natural dyes, and plant medicine are some of the ways she honors her maternal Indigenous lineage in Veracruz. She is also an avid mender, knitter, and upcycler of fabrics. You can follow her as she continues to make things and explore the natural dye palette: @theblueweaver

CANCELLATION POLICY: Refunds (minus Eventbrite fees) available up to 30 before the event. If you cancel after 30 days before the event we can only offer a refund (minus Eventbrite fees) if we are able to fill your space from the waitlist. Otherwise there will be no refunds or transfers.

Tuition Scholarships & Transportation/Childcare Stipends
Fibershed is offering two scholarships to most workshops; one scholarship if it’s a small class. In addition to scholarships for tuition, we are offering a limited number of stipends for transportation and/or childcare. If you would not otherwise be able to attend, and would like to be considered as a scholarship and/or stipend recipient, please answer a few brief questions on this Google Form. Responses will be reviewed by Learning Center staff and kept strictly confidential.

BONUS: The Clothing Swap Closet is now open during workshops and events at the Fibershed Learning Center!

Visit the Clothing Swap Closet when you attend a workshop or event at the Learning Center and exchange your 100% natural fiber garments and accessories. Your clothing contributions must be clean and in good condition. Each contribution entities you to choose one item of comparable value.

You may depart up to an hour after the workshop ends, to allow time to browse and try on items in the closet, and make your trade!