HUIPIL (WEE-PEEL)

FROM SANTIAGO DE ATITLAN. THESE ARE HAND WOVEN USING TRADITIONAL COTTON THREADS ON A HAND HELD OR BACK STRAP LOOM. IT CAN TAKE MONTHS TO PRODUCE ONE HUIPIL. THE SIDE SEAMS ARE EITHER LEFT OPEN OR SEWN UP JUST ENOUGH TO PROVIDE ARM OPENINGS, WHICH MAKES THE HUIPIL EASY TO ENLARGE THE ARMS AND/OR THE NECK OPENING IF IT IS TO BE WORN OR OPENED FOR DISPLAY. HUIPILS ARE WORN AS A BLOUSE TUCKED IN OR AS AN OUTER PONCHO. THEY ALSO MAKE A BEUTIFUL WALL HANGING PIECE.