Yarns used by the weaving communities are blends of cotton with abaca (Manila Hemp) and maguey which are endemic to the Philippines.
This will be a great discovery for fashion and industrial designers as they can now explore and use local fabrics for their production of finished goods, unexpectedly at very cheap prices for handwoven fabrics. You may avail of huge discounts on orders if you partner with these communities in creating new patterns and designs.
Another discovery on this hand loom project is the fast way to lose weight and earn money at the same time. Body movements in weaving is extremely an extraneous exercise, so you get to loose pounds in a few days and at the same time you finish ten yards of cloth at 45" width which you can sell to your friends. One weaver told us that the weaving work maintains a good abs by toning the muscles. Huh! I will go for that then.
You get quality local hand woven fabrics at very cheap prices and you get to help in alleviating poverty and creating source of livelihood for the farmers and countryside communities. We get to preserve as well the heritage of our tribal families. This is what i call hitting three birds with one stone.
If you are interested to buy Philippine tropical fabrics or a handloom machine, you may call Mrs Chato Cariaga of Abel Ilocos Paoay on (+63 07) 7714268 thru the Department of Trade and Industry Regional Office in Ilocos Norte.
