NEWS | GUATEMALA TRIP 2025 – OUR DEDICATED PEDAL-LOOM Workshop

A Rum Fellow’s recent visit to Guatemala explores the craft, skill, and growth of our dedicated pedal-loom weaving workshop in the Northern Highlands.

Since 2019, we’ve worked with a remarkable family of weavers in Guatemala. What began as a partnership with master weaver Hector has grown into a thriving workshop led by his son Boanerges, whose story shows how A RUM FELLOW’s long-term partnership is helping preserve traditional skills while creating sustainable livelihoods.

Boanerges learnt to weave from his father and brought both technical skill and curiosity to the craft. With support from A RUM FELLOW, he now runs our dedicated workshop on his family land, employing four master weavers, with five more in training. His sisters spin and prepare the yarn, completing a fully integrated process alongside our full-time Guatemalan production manager and a weave expert who advises on technique, maintains looms, and conducts final quality control in preparation for shipments.

The workshop produces our hand-woven fabrics on traditional treadle looms: Falseria, stripe, semi-plain, and Pepenado. These techniques combine centuries-old craft with careful adaptations for contemporary interiors.

Pepenado, for instance, was once limited to narrow cloths but has been developed into wider, commercially viable fabrics, with layered texture, colour, and intricate motifs. Each piece requires precision, dexterity, and teamwork, reflecting the intimate connection between artisan and cloth.

After first meeting Boanerges, we quickly recognised not only his weaving talent but also his aptitude for leading a team. Since then, A RUM FELLOW has supported the workshop’s development, contributing to construction, providing interest-free loans, and ongoing mentoring. From sockets by each loom to a bright break-out area with natural light, we’ve worked together to create a productive and happy workspace for the weavers and the perfect environment to produce the highest quality and beautifully handwoven fabrics.

The space is not just for weaving; it’s a hub of learning, collaboration, and growth. The weavers, who previously worked for local markets with little requirement for precision, now produce fabrics to the exacting standards of the interiors industry, learning and refining skills from one another each day. Boanerges oversees this process, mentoring new weavers while ensuring every piece meets the high standards required.

During our Design teams recent visit, we reviewed current production, explored new fabric developments for the Spring/Summer 2026 collection, and brainstormed process improvements. We also enjoyed team activities, from a fun bowling outing to lunches and dinners together in local restaurants, strengthening the friendships that makes A RUM FELLOW so special to us.

From loom to finished fabric, every A RUM FELLOW piece reflects the care, expertise, and innovation provided by our artisan weavers. The Pepenado, Stripes, semi-plain, and Falseria fabrics emerge as vibrant, tactile textiles, bringing colour, texture, and life to interiors around the world — a living testament to this partnership that preserves craft, nurtures talent, and builds a sustainable weaving community in Guatemala.