What is a Corte?
More Than a Skirt—A Story Woven by Hand
A corte is a traditional skirt worn by Mayan women in Guatemala. It’s an essential part of everyday dress in many communities and is typically paired with a huipil (a handwoven blouse) and a faja (a woven belt).
Most cortes are made from long panels of fabric woven on a foot (or pedal) loom, then wrapped around the body and secured with the faja. The weaving process allows for intricate patterns, stripes, and textures that vary widely from region to region.
Many cortes are also joined with a randa—a hand-embroidered seam that connects two panels of fabric. In the original garment, this seam is functional. But it’s also beautiful, often becoming one of the most distinctive design elements in the textile.
At Intertwined, we work with vintage cortes—textiles that have already been worn and lived in. By repurposing them into pillows, bags, blankets, and table linens, we’re giving these handwoven pieces a second life while honoring the craftsmanship that went into making them.
Cortes Across Guatemala: Each One Tells a Different Story
Cortes may all serve the same purpose, but they are anything but the same. Each region in Guatemala has its own weaving techniques, color palettes, and design traditions, often passed down through generations.
Here are a few of the regions you’ll see reflected in our collection:
Indigo Cortes with Hand-Embroidered Randa
Chichicastenango, Sumpango, Nahualá
These are some of the most recognizable cortes—and some of the most versatile. Woven in deep indigo tones that resemble denim, these textiles are traditionally made on a foot loom and then joined with a randa, a hand-embroidered seam that can be wide and intricate or narrow and subtle.
You’ll find these cortes in communities like Chichicastenango, Sumpango, and Nahualá.
We love working with these textiles because they blend beautifully into a variety of spaces. At Intertwined, they are often repurposed into indigo corte pillow covers and kitchen towels, where the randa becomes a design feature rather than something hidden.
Salcajá Cortes
Jaspe / Ikat Weaving
Cortes from Salcajá are known for their jaspe, a form of ikat weaving created through a meticulous dye-resist process. Before the threads ever reach the loom, artisans carefully tie sections of the yarn to resist the dye—knowing exactly where each knot needs to go to form the final pattern.
Once dyed and placed on the loom, the design isn’t added—it reveals itself as the threads are woven together. The result is a soft, slightly blurred pattern that may remind you of madras plaid from India.
We use Salcajá cortes to create napkins, table runners, and aprons, bringing a traditional textile technique into everyday use at the table.
Lake Atitlán Cortes
San Juan La Laguna and surrounding villages
Many of our cotton corte blankets begin as cortes sourced from villages around Lake Atitlán, including San Juan La Laguna.
These textiles feature beautiful striped patterns in a wide range of colors—from bold and vibrant to soft and neutral.
When transformed into blankets, two corte panels are joined together with a hand-embroidered randa, creating a piece that is both practical and deeply rooted in tradition.
Zunil Cortes
Zunil cortes are known for their rich embroidery and vibrant color combinations. There isn’t just one style—there are many variations, often featuring dense patterns and bold design choices.
These textiles tend to feel expressive and full of movement.
At Intertwined, we use Zunil cortes to create cosmetic bags and select pillows, allowing these intricate designs to shine.
Aguacatán Cortes
Cortes from Aguacatán are truly special. They are thicker, more structured textiles, often featuring stripes combined with floral and geometric embroidery.
One unique detail: instead of loose threads on the back, the designs are fully woven in—creating a cleaner, more finished look.
Because of their weight and structure, we occasionally use these cortes as bed runners or table centerpieces, especially during the holiday season.
Colotenango Cortes
Colotenango cortes (far right) have a look all their own. Most start with a base of red or deep burgundy stripes, woven on a foot loom. But what makes them stand out is what comes next.
Across those stripes, you’ll often find playful, colorful embroidery stitched perpendicular to the woven lines—almost as if a second layer of design has been added in a completely different direction.
The result feels a little unexpected, a little bold, and entirely one-of-a-kind.
We love using them as bed runners—pieces that bring warmth, color, and just the right amount of personality to a space.
From Skirt to Something New
Every corte we use has already lived a life as part of a traditional Mayan garment. By repurposing these textiles, we’re not only preserving the craftsmanship—they’re being given a second life in a completely new form.
Whether it becomes a pillow, a bag, or a blanket, each piece carries the story of where it came from—and the hands that made it.