Threads of Peru Blog

The Awaq Shoulder Bag: Weaving Technique that was Nearly Lost

Oct 14, 2016

The AWAQ shoulder bag with front pocket is a technical feat of weaving ingenuity, composed of one continuous piece of weaving! That’s right: unlike every other bag out there, that practical front pocket is NOT a separate piece sewn onto the main bag, but rather a part of the main weaving. This traditional technique was brought to the brink of extinction – almost lost altogether, a distant memory in the recesses of time – but was revived by a dedicated anthropologist in the Mapacho Valley in the 1990s.

Tradition is the Democracy of the Dead

Oct 09, 2016

Quechua weaver and cat- a timeless tradition

Out with the old and in with the new?

For some, maybe. But at Threads of Peru, we are not trying to obliterate the old. Rather, we honor the idea that “tradition is the democracy of the dead.” It is through tradition that our ancestors continue to have a say in how the future of society unfolds.

By incorporating the wisdom of the ancients into the present, we honor the life experiences, skills, and art of those who came before us.

Ponchos - The New Black, Gray, Brown, and all Colors of the Rainbow!

Sep 04, 2016

boys in red ponchos; Andean boys in regional ponchos

You might be feeling that tiny nip in the are indicating the arrival of the fall season. It’s a good time to consider purchasing one of Threads of Peru’s elegant, handmade, natural fiber ponchos. Originally a garment worn by men, ponchos were first created and worn in the Andean regions. Europeans arrived in South America in the 17^th century, and adapted ponchos to their own specifications, including some highly elaborate designs. Today, ponchos continue to be worn in the high Andes, with each village having its own designs and design elements that carry regional significance.