BACKSTRAP WEAVING
BEAUTIFUL BROCADES FROM the worlds oldest known loom
Backstrap brocade weaving in Guatemala has been perfected by Maya female artisans throughout 2000 years of tradition. The loom may seem simple, a few small pieces of wood, but with this tool skilled weavers create the most intricate master pieces, true textile artworks.
Artisans embroider the intricate pattern as they simultaneously weave the base cloth. Every element of the complex design is meticulously hand stitched and woven, a highly skilled process that takes weeks to craft a single panel. We work with Maya weaving cooperatives in Guatemala to create these works of art on cloth. Our responsible approach supports and empowers female artisans enabling economic independence whilst celebrating their incredible textile art.
A RUM FELLOW has strived to draw attention to this beautiful textile craft by introducing it to the global interior design community and showing how it can be woven into contemporary interiors. Whether used as stunning accent cushions, creatively in upholsterer furniture pieces, or framed as textile artworks the brocade fabrics will make an impression in any space adding a storied element of colour, character, and heart.
OUR 2025 BROCADE WEAVER SURVEY
The findings reveal powerful stories of resilience and empowerment from our dedicated A RUM FELLOW Maya weaving community. From increased incomes and education opportunities to strengthened confidence and community standing.
Each voice reflects how weaving, as both a cultural tradition and a source of independence, continues to enrich lives.
BUILDING AND GROWING ALONGSIDE OUR MAYA WEAVING COOPERATIVE
Our relationship with our indigenous Maya weavers is built on years of trust, collaboration, and genuine friendship. Over time, these partnerships have become one of the most meaningful parts of A RUM FELLOW’s work.
We visit the community regularly — sitting with the artisans at their looms, sharing meals, hearing about their families, and understanding how weaving fits into the rhythm of their lives. These moments shape how we design, how we collaborate, and how we continue to grow this craft together responsibly.
Each visit is a reminder that every brocade carries far more than technique. It holds generational knowledge, personal expression, and the quiet determination of women who are sustaining both their cultural identity and their independence. Their skill, creativity, and resilience are at the heart of everything we do.
If you’d like to step inside their world, you can read our latest journal entry following our most recent trip and meet these extraordinary women behind our hand-woven brocades.
