Weaving

The Karen use a traditional backstrap loom to weave intricate bags, purses, and clothing.  Many Karen women and girls learned how to weave while living in refugee camps in Thailand.  The Karen here in the U.S. still wear traditional woven clothing most of the time when they are at home.  We are trying to get a weaving co-op started that would provide an opportunity for Karen women to socialize, weave, and sell their handmade products to a receptive American audience. 

Below, Ha La, a Karen refugee who has lived in the U.S. for 1 month, demonstrating traditional weaving at the craft fair two weeks ago in Waxahachie, TX.

Karen women in Garland wearing traditional hand woven dress.

A Karen family wearing traditional dress--Aye Aye & Taw Paw with their children,

Hay Blut Moo (3), Moo Kae Blu (8), and Moo Blut Htoo (7)

If this project sounds interesting to you in any way, please let us know--we can use all of the help we can get!
Some of the help we need includes:

• someone who can create marketing pieces such as a website and brochure/flyer
• someone who can find out about craft fairs in the area where merchandise could be sold
• someone to maintain an Etsy store online
• someone who could coordinate the purchase and distribution of yarn
• And many other opportunities!  Just let us know what you want to do and we can make it work!