Making a Vest from Thai-Dam Handwoven Fabric

The Woven Thai Dam Fabric
My Inspiration

     It is always the fabric that inspires me to want to create something wearable in order to share such a beautiful weaving or embroidery.  Looking at the complexity of the weaving designs and techniques that are exhibited in this Thai work sets me on fire.  The indigo blue ikat ( threads dyed before being put on the loom) and then the brocaded design above it (which demands extra heddles or yarn holders) thrills me so much that I am set into motion planning a way to show such a piece of art.

     The first step I usually take in a project is to gather all the coordinating fabrics, threads, buttons, and other embellishment possibilities.
     Next I decide on what kind of item I want to make:   blouse, skirt, jacket, vest, hat, coat etc....  That choice is often influenced by the amount and nature of the fabric.
     At this point I begin conceptualizing the piece in my mind and also in my fabric journal.  (It's always fun to compare the original drawing with the finished product.)
     Now I am ready to look for a pattern to use as a guide and make my own copy of the pattern.
     With the pattern pieces ready, I proceed with the layout on the fabric and cut the first pieces.
     Then I continue with a squence of steps that allow me to embellish and sew the many pieces into a final creation.  That is where the great fun begins.
     The following pix are views of the process with results.  As you notice, the fabric weaving serves as the focal point.  Embellishment details and other elements are minimal.

     I hope that my husband is happy with his special vest called THAI DAM (for the weaver, of course). The basic pattern pieces (modified) come from the Folkwear Pattern #501, the Algerian Suit.
    

Selecting Other Fabrics and  Embellishment

The Finished Vest  Front

Vest Side Back 

Lining Design

Vest Label in Lining



LET ME KNOW ABOUT YOUR CREATIONS.  HAPPY SEWING TO YOU ALL   GOOD BYE  FOR NOW

Visit to a Huichol Hamlet near Tepic, Mexico

THE HUICHOL 

Huichol Beaded Mask

         Faustino was one of the first Huichol people that I became aware of as he walked along the Chacala beach selling beautiful beaded jewelry and yarn art.  He definitely stood out wearing white pants and shirt covered with brilliant colored embroidery.

Beaded Bracelets

     I found out that most of the 18,000 Huichol live in the sierra of Jalisco (Puerto Vallarta)  and Nayarit (Chacala).  They survived the Spanish Invasion and are trying very hard to keep their culture alive and viable, in spite of the encroachment of Mexican neighbors.  Their artwork seems to reflect a reverent and symbiotic relationship with nature.

Tawexikta, Our Destination

We were able to find a way to visit Tawexikta,  a  Huichol Village, a journey of 3 hours  into the Sierra MadreMountains.  En route we saw many fields of sugar cane, one of the main crops of the Compostela region.  Passing through the Nayarit State Capital, Tepic, was a group of Huichol women wearing their colorful skirts and blouses.  After a 15 minute reservoir crossing (Dam Aguamilpa), we arrived at the desert-like hillside of our destination.

Arrival in Village

Walking up the steep hillside was a struggle in the extreme heat of the day.  It felt good to reach the cool comfortable shelter, drink water, meet Anna, our 12 year old guide, and eat a fish and rice dinner.

Anna 

Typical Summer Home

Tawexikta is a fairly new village have been settled only twenty years ago by a group of villages from a neighboring region, some four hours by foot and inland.  The building of the dam with reservoir and better transportation created desire for the village change.    There is an elementary school,  4 water spigots, a village store, and a community center.  Also, very important to the Huichol is a small  reserve for their sacred deer. 

                                Girls Carrying Water to their Home

The loveliest guide throughout our visit.  A gentle people

               GOOD-BYE UNTIL ANOTHER ADVENTURE.....

March 15 -- Egypt or Mexico?

       What a dilemma...  a journey to visit our friends in Cairo or a quiet beach holiday to Chacala, a tiny fishing village (500 locals)  two hours north of Puerto Vallarta.

       We had made air reservations for the Egypt trip after the January\February political protests, demonstrations, violence had mostly ended and Mubarak stepped down from office.   Egypt seemed to return to reasonable stability, our friends encouraged us to visit, and we felt we would be secure during our trip..

     Unfortunately,with only four days left before our 15 of March departure date, more chaos and demonstrations erupted again throughout the country.   We didn't know what to do until our Cairo friends emailed advising us to cancel the trip.  Cairo was was chaotic with students rioting at the universities, Coptic and Muslim riots in Tahrir Square and throughout the country, and road blocks throughout the city.

     The decision was made for us.  We cancelled the Cairo flight and hurridly made reservations for Puerto Vallarta, the port for our favorite Mexican beach village, Chacala. After completing home logistics and packing for a low-keyed beach holiday, we were ready for the 6:30 am departure.

     By 8:00 in the evening we had checked in at our beachfront lodging,  La Casa Magica,  and were in another world on the warm sweet Chacala beach.

March 2011 -- Chacala, Nayarit, Mexico Adventure with Nomadsally

Chacala Beach

     Waking up to the boisterous songbirds of Chacala (frigate, pelicans, doves, crows...), warm air, beautiful tropical vegetation, and a lovely beach brought back the sweet memories that keep us returning every year.  Our cozy "Casa Magica" suite (renovated from a 1760's Spanish built ammunitions warehouse still wearing its original pillars partially covered with snake-like fig tree branches)  felt comfortable with easy access to both village and  beach life.

  

Our View of the Bay

 The Casa Magica

       That morning Jim and I walked up the hill to Susana´s Mauna Kea Guest House and roof top breakfast hangout.  With a blink of an eye we connected with friends from former years and were instantly immersed in Chacala happenings.   It felt so good to feel the human warmth and interpersonal connections that create the magic of the Chacala community.

     Our mornings usually included  reading, yoga, hiking, birding, and snorkeling.  We usually made lunches in our Casa Magica (lots of fish and great tropical fruit), then passed the afternoons swimming and reading at the beach.  Watching the rich sunset with friends at one of the 6 or 7 beach eateries or in homes of  local families and friends was the evening ritual.

  

A Chacala Dinner with Carol, Karina, and Sally

Artistic Embraceable Trees

Flowers Galore

     A unique feature of Chacala is its small population.  The native population that settled this Nayarit coastline were the Texcoxquin.  Unfortunately, we know little about them.   Later recorded history indicates that the Spanish developed the region as a plantation for coconut oil.  Thus, there were never many people living in the present village site.  After land reform in 20th Century, Mexicans began to settle to take advantage of the bounteous fishing opportunities. 

     Development has continud to be slow since there were no adequate access roads from neighboring areas.
     The 1950 official census describes the population as follows: 13 inhabitants, 6 homeowners, 6 more "qualifying" individuals, 6 head of cattle, 13 head of sheep, and 33 barnyard birds.

Jim on Chacala Main Street 

    The 1970's brought significant changes.  Puerto Vallarta (two hours south) was discovered after the filming of The Night of the Iguana and tourism began to flourish in the region.  Soon Chacala received electricity and a few gringos arrived landing their yachts in the Chacala Bay   And, eventually a road  connected Chacala to the highway.  Today there are about 500 permanent residents which include several dozen gringos.    Most Mexicans residents are fishermen or own and manage small stores to service the village and the increasing Mexican and gringo tourists.

Relaxing on the Beach 

     A unique friendliness and connectedness exists in tiny Chacala - one usually exchanges greetings wherever you go in the village.  This open attitude could be due to its size as well as a local program called "Techos (Roofs) de Mexico". The idea is that vacationers could "invest" in a local's house.  The locals would then build a room on the roof of their home with a separate staircase in exchange for a certain number of days free in Chacala or the option of repayment of loan (interest free).  Today there are seven vibrant "Techos"  homes functioning and available for guests.

     There's only one thing that I have missed in our little village -- the textile world.  Last year I learned that not far away and up in the mountains are many Huichol hamlets.  Can you imagine...  these indigenous people are fiber and bead specialists!

     You will be able to view Huichol art and lifestyle in my next post...  So long for now.  Nomadsally

  

Storekeeper Mayra and son Francisco

Chabela's Restaurant- Tuesday and Thursday Dinners

At Work 

Elementary School with Computer Facility for Community

Tropical Paradise

Good-by For Now  Chacala.