Nestled into the hills southwest of Mexico City are many small villages that are engaged in the textile "industry". This industry is comprised of cottage production, all the people do the work in their homes and there are no factories as we know them. When a family finishes a number of units for the day, they take them to a central buyer who inspects them and in turn pays cash for the goods. They then buy more raw material and go through the same process the next day. When the buyer has several thousand finished pieces he will send the truck north to warehouses in the US which distribute the goods across the country.
The state of Tlaxcala is a prime example and most of the blankets and weavings that are made in Mexico come from this area. All the tiny stores here sell the raw material and the families will have as many as 10-12 hand-made looms in their homes being run by their family and friends. No electric power or any other automation is used, and all work is done totally by hand.
The different colored threads that are used in the weavings are spun onto small spools and placed in front of the weaver. His feet operate the warp and one hand pulls on the rope yoke that sends the shuttlecock through the weaving. His other hand controls a board that tightens the weave, and his mind totally controls the pattern and design. From start to finish, the entire unit is in his hands and therefore it is impossible to find any two of them exactly alike, but that's what sets them apart from the pushbutton production as we know it. When one watches these weavings being brought to life by use of this very ancient method, you fully understand and appreciate all the little "imperfections" that you find, because they are very much a part of it. They are not flaws--they are simply an integral part of the hand-made process. In fact, some cultures believe that only God is perfect, and in an expression of humility, leave flaws in the work.
This craft has been carried over for years and years and is a real treat to experience first hand. It is refreshing to know that in this day and age one can still witness true art and craftmanship, and not rely on push-button production.
When you own one of these hand-made blankets, you can rest assured that you do, in fact, own a work of art and that nobody will have a duplicate. A weavers work is his signature.