Weaving and dying following Tz’utujil traditions

In the Tz'utujil Mayan language Lema means calling tree. We are a group of women weavers who use natural dyes to make textiles. We use a dyeing technique passed down by our ancestors from generation to generation. We use plants that grow near Lake Atitlan such as coconut shell, pericón, pepper, and achiote, among others.

In the community of San Juan la Laguna, Sololá, women worked in the home and family income was scarce. However, a group of women decided to join together, with the idea to generate employment to support our families. For that reason we formed our group to produce textiles using the traditional dying customs of our ancestors and weaving on a backstrap loom. Every garment we have made has a story and is especially crafted to achieve complete customer satisfaction.

OUR VISION

Our vision is a sustainable company that offers naturally dyed, high quality textiles to the domestic and international market at a fair price for women to contribute to the development of San Juan la Laguna.

OUR MISSION

We are Tz'utujil women with an ancestral history of weaving and dying thread with natural colors in line with the Mayan culture and tradition. Our mission is to have institutional sustainability so we can improve the quality of life of the people and especially the women of San Juan la Laguna.

OUR PROCESS

For thread dyeing, we follow a lengthy process:

• Collect leaves of different trees, fruits, vegetables, and barks – each of these provides a different color and hue.
• Boil the materials individually in a pot of water.
• Remove from heat once the water is boiling and the color is the desired shade.
• Strain the materials out and put the pot back on the fire until the water returns to a boil.
• Put white thread into the colored water.
• Boil the thread for 15 to 20 minutes until the thread has obtained the desired color.
• Remove the thread from the boiling water.
• Add thread to a color fixative solution to ensure that the color won’t wash away.
• Wash thread with laundry soap.
• Set the dyed yarn to dry in the sun.

OUR PRODUCTS

We produce all kinds of traditional clothes on the backloom. We have molded and refined the antique art using natural dyes.

We offer three product lines:

• • Linen: tablecloths, placemats, table runners, coasters, and napkins.
• Bedroom Items: bed covers, cushions, curtains, and hammocks.
• Personal accessories: bags, makeup bags, shawls, scarves, bags, shawls, etc.

VISIT

In a visit to the Lema Association we offer a brief explanation of the natural dyeing techniques. You can also purchase products made by our members.

CONTACT US
Telephones: (502) 5866-8446 y 5512-8565
Email: This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.
Web: www.asociacionlema.es.tl
 San Juan la Laguna, Sololá, Guatemala