Mexican Randa : Embroidering a Union by Gabina Valentín Lopéz & Inês Queirós
Randa is a type of hand-embroidery historically used in Mexico to decorate napkins or traditional clothing such as Huipils.
During the workshop, you will learn four types of stitch central to Mexican embroidery: “Three stitch Randa.”, “Iguana teeth Randa.”, “Five stitch Randa.”, and “Worm Randa”; and with them, create your own sample works on wooden embroidery frames, with hand-spun and naturally-dyed cotton yarn.
The workshop is an invitation to connect with the richness of Mexican textile culture and to practice and learn the significance of these techniques within traditional dress.
Discover the artistry behind each and every stitch and, through it, see the patience and dedication of the people, all those generations ago, which sowed just the same way.
The workshop will encompass roughly four hours.
No prior experience is required.
All materials required will be provided for the duration of the workshop.
Randa is a type of hand-embroidery historically used in Mexico to decorate napkins or traditional clothing such as Huipils.
During the workshop, you will learn four types of stitch central to Mexican embroidery: “Three stitch Randa.”, “Iguana teeth Randa.”, “Five stitch Randa.”, and “Worm Randa”; and with them, create your own sample works on wooden embroidery frames, with hand-spun and naturally-dyed cotton yarn.
The workshop is an invitation to connect with the richness of Mexican textile culture and to practice and learn the significance of these techniques within traditional dress.
Discover the artistry behind each and every stitch and, through it, see the patience and dedication of the people, all those generations ago, which sowed just the same way.
The workshop will encompass roughly four hours.
No prior experience is required.
All materials required will be provided for the duration of the workshop.
“TuYo Foundation, established in Amsterdam in 2021, is the result of the efforts of a team of Artists and artisans dedicated to the preservation and promotion of traditional textile techniques. Their mission is centered in supporting local communities via social and environmentally friendly practices. TuYo imagines a future in which indigenous communities dependent on the textile industry could simultaneously maintain their identities, challenge the stereotypes unjustly set on them, and prosper with fair wages and security.”
“Inês Queirós, founder and director of the foundation, is a Portuguese textile artist and researcher with a passion for the preservation of traditional textiles. With profound knowledge on sewing and natural dying techniques, she dedicates herself to motivating communities to revitalize ancient practices with new possibilities.
For Inês, textiles transcend their material function, they are a vehicle of storytelling, a catalyst of social encounters and a powerful tool for the emancipation of women.”
“Gabina Valentín Lopez is a talented Amuzga weaver from Xochistlahuaca, Guerrero in Mexico. She started weaving and learning her cultures indigenous symbology from the women of her family at the age of nine. Later, as she was unwillingly sent to the urban area of Mexico City, weaving became a nightly activity she kept just to stay connected to her roots and traditions. Determined, Gabina has since dedicated her life to preserve and maintain her culture’s textile history. Travelling all across Mexico, and championing the independence of women in her efforts.
As the right hand of TuYo foundation, she exercises a crucial role in the preservation of textiles and the strengthening of Indigenous communities.”
- Taken and translated from: https://tuyofoundation.com/