| Backstrap weaving is an ancient art practiced for | | | | come from plants and bark such as: |
| centuries in many parts of the world - Peru, | | | | - sacatinta -a blue color |
| Guatemala, China, Japan, Bolivia, Mexico and Native | | | | - coconut shell -brown |
| Americans. Today it is still used on a daily basis in | | | | - carrots -orange |
| many parts of Guatemala to weave fabrics to make | | | | - achote -soft orange/peach |
| clothing and other household cloth needs. Many of the | | | | - hibiscus flower -rosy pink |
| women also weave a variety of items to help earn a | | | | - chilca -soft yellow |
| living by selling to tourists. | | | | - bark of the avocado tree -beige |
| The looms are simple, typically 6 sticks, usually | | | | The backstrap loom also known as the belt loom can |
| handmade by the weaver. A backstrap loom is easily | | | | make different widths of fabric depending of the width |
| portable because it can simply be rolled up and laid | | | | of the rods. Guatemalan artisan weavers can weave |
| aside when not in use. The back rod is tied to a tree | | | | as narrow as a belt or as large as 24 -26 inch width |
| or post while weaving and the other end has a strap | | | | and perhaps more. If a cloth needs to be wider, the |
| that encircles the waist and the weaver can move | | | | two pieces are joined together with heavy embroidery |
| back or forward to produce the needed tension. The | | | | stitches. An example of this would be the corte (the |
| weaver usually sits on the ground but as the person | | | | skirt) of the Mayan women, which if hand-woven |
| ages that is more difficult and they may use a small | | | | would have the pieces joined with embroidery stitches. |
| stool. | | | | A great book about weaving with the backstrap was |
| In Guatemala the women have typically used cotton | | | | written by Barbara Taber and Marilyn Anderson in |
| yarn for their weavings and used natural plants from | | | | 1975 - "Backstrap Weaving, step by step techniques |
| their area to dye the yarn various colors. They still tint | | | | on one of the oldest and most versatile looms". |
| yarn by hand but also buy cotton yarn that has | | | | Another book with some information is "The Weaving |
| already been chemically dyed. The natural tints are | | | | Primer, A Complete Guide to Inkle, Backstrap, and |
| softer colors than chemical dyes. These natural tints | | | | Frame Looms" by Nina Holland, 1978. |