Corte Cloth Napkins
Handwoven, Upcycled Cloth Napkins – Colorful, Artisan Dining for Every
Description
Made from vintage Guatemalan cortes — the traditional skirt fabric worn by many Maya women — these one-of-a-kind cloth napkins bring color, history, and beautiful handwoven texture to the table. Each set features traditional jaspe (ikat) patterns, created by dyeing threads before weaving, then carefully sewn by artisans at Ruth & Naomi into meaningful handmade table linens for the home.
Soft, colorful, and full of joyful craftsmanship, these reusable cotton napkins add warmth and character to everything from casual family dinners to celebratory gatherings. Perfect for layering into an eclectic, collected table, these artisan cloth napkins are both beautiful and practical — designed to be used, loved, and passed around often.
Because each set is made from vintage handwoven textiles, there are only two "Sets of 4" in each colorway. Once a set sells, this exact combination will not be available again.
One-of-a-kind
100% vintage cotton
Set of 4
18 x 18 inches
Details
Material: Vintage handwoven cotton corte textile
Origin: Guatemala
Artisan Partner: Ruth & Naomi
Technique: Foot-loom woven japse (known as ikat in other parts of the world) textile
Size: 18" X 18"
Care:
Handmade Vintage
30-Day Return Policy
$7.99 Flat Rate Shipping on All Orders
Ships from North Carolina
Woven with Jaspe Tradition
Each piece features jaspe, Guatemala’s traditional ikat-style weaving technique, where threads are dyed before they’re woven to create soft, beautifully patterned designs.
What Makes this Fabric Special?
This fabric is woven from traditional Guatemalan corte textiles featuring jaspe—an ikat-style technique that creates pattern by binding and dyeing the threads before they are woven. The result is a textile with soft, slightly blurred designs, beautiful color variation, and the kind of handmade character you just don’t get from printed fabric.
Are these pieces practical for everyday use?
Yes. These napkins, towels, and aprons are made to be used—not tucked away for “someday.” The cotton fabric is soft, absorbent, and durable enough for everyday kitchen and table use, while still bringing color, texture, and a little bit of handwoven beauty to ordinary meals and messy moments.
Care Instructions
What is a Corte?
A corte is a traditional Mayan skirt textile, often handwoven on foot looms and worn as part of daily dress. Many cortes feature jaspe, Guatemala’s ikat-style patterning technique—bringing history, color, and handwoven beauty to these everyday napkins, towels, and aprons.
The Art of “Tie-Dying the Threads”
Jaspe is Guatemala’s traditional ikat-style weaving technique—almost like tie-dying the threads before they are woven. The artisan carefully binds and dyes the yarn first. When the artisan weaves the threads, those soft, blurred designs featured in our napkins, towels, and aprons "magically" appear.
Explore Mayan Textiles
Cortes are just one part of Guatemala’s extraordinary textile tradition, shaped by regional patterns, skilled weaving, natural materials, and generations of artistry.
Meet the Artisans
Ruth & Naomi Cooperative
