Aranza Municipio de Paracho, Michoacán

Josefina is from Aranza Municipio de Paracho, Michoacán, and creates beautiful textiles using the traditional method of backstrap weaving using cotton. This warp-faced style of weaving uses a “backstrap” wrapped around the waist of the seated weaver to create the tension used to weave. This intricate style of weaving dates to pre-Spanish times and has changed very little since. Josefina’s weavings include shawls, traditional blouses, men’s shirts, guayaberas, gabanes (cotton and wool), traditional dresses, and a myriad of other textile forms. The patterns she uses are intricate and time consuming.