r/weaving • u/QuriosityQat • 21d ago

Discussion Backstrap weaving in Peru

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Visited Peru and took a class in backstrap weaving from tradition Quechua weavers. Made a bracelet and absolutely loved it. Can't wait to add this technique to my repertoire.

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7

u/Secretly_Many_Bees 21d ago

Awesome! I've been looking into that and tablet weaving since both seem fairly DIY-able without buying extra equipment, I love how your finished product looks!

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u/Nard_Cheeks 21d ago

I’m so jealous! What a dream

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u/hedgehogketchup 20d ago

Oh! Wow! What threads or wool
Did you use? Amazing! Looks great!

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u/QuriosityQat 20d ago

It was alpaca yarn, hand spun and dyed with natural dyes by traditional Quechua weavers. As part of the class I got to try spinning and dying as well.

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u/hedgehogketchup 20d ago

That is really amazing! What dyes were they using? It really is amazing!!

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u/QuriosityQat 20d ago

I don't remember all the native names for everything. The turquoise was made using a fungus that was ground up and the yellow-green was a leaf that was boiled with a bit of baking soda (or baking powder?). They also used cochineal from their cactus to make a variety of red shades.

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u/_get_off_your_phone_ 19d ago

That’s where I first learned! So beautiful