With every fresh delivery of Intertwined's Cotton Corte Blankets, I find myself marveling, "Surely, these must be the best ones yet!" This latest batch of colorful handwoven blankets has me particularly convinced. Buckle up, because I'm about to tell you why these handcrafted Guatemalan treasures deserve a prime spot in your home (or on your next picnic adventure!).
Five Things You Might Not Know About Our Cotton Corte Blankets:
- A Second Life: These colorful blankets were once traditional Mayan skirts ("cortes" in Spanish) worn by Guatemalan women. Intertwined upcycles the handwoven fabric from these skirts into beautiful new products, with the striped fabric finding its way into our cozy blankets. (Two other common corte fabrics are used in our pillow covers aprons, and napkins.)
- Handwoven Heritage: Each colorful handwoven blanket is crafted from super-soft, thick cotton that's handwoven on pedal looms. Although some patterns are similar, each blanket is one-of-a-kind. The blanket you see in our online shop is the blanket you will receive.
- The Beauty of Jaspe: Did you know each handwoven blanket incorporates a touch of Guatemalan artistry called "jaspe"? This traditional technique involves meticulously tie-dying the threads before weaving. By carefully controlling which sections are dyed, artisans create stunning patterns that emerge as the fabric is woven. We had the incredible opportunity to visit Salcajá, a Guatemalan town renowned for its jaspe production, during our April trip. It's a fascinating process, and we'll be sharing more about it in a future blog post – trust us, it's amazing!
- Hand-Embroidered Perfection: Don't be fooled by the flawless embroidery – it's all done by hand! I once jokingly asked Diego if they used machines, but he passionately assured me it's a traditional craft. He even offered to send a video, though on my next trip to Guatemala, he went above and beyond. He introduced me to Tomasa, a skilled artisan who graciously welcomed me into her home and demonstrated the embroidery technique firsthand. It's a true testament to the talent and dedication of these artisans.
- Holely Smoke! Since open wood fires for cooking are common in the homes of small Guatemalan villages and since our women partners embroider in their homes, the blankets initially have a faint wood smoke aroma when they arrive in the USA. But fear not! We machine wash and dry all the blankets before they ship, ensuring they arrive ready to cuddle. So if you wonder whether they will machine wash and dry well, know that the blankets have already been machine washed and dried before making it to you! Occasionally, we receive a blanket with a minor hole. We don't throw these beautiful pieces away. Our Afghan partners skillfully mend them with an embroidered flower or star, adding a unique touch to the blanket's story.
