Maple Leaves: Andean Trim, 2.5 x 97 inches Andean Trim / Andean Textile

Maple Leaves: Andean Trim, 2.5 x 97 inches / Andean Native Belt, Andean Trim, Andean Trim, Chumbis, Ethnic Textile from South America

What a gorgeous trim. The color is way more beautiful in person, no kidding! This trim/belt was handmade using old-style Spanish looms. It is made from the softest cotton yarn and it is a duo-sided belt. The yellow tone is so beautiful and the details on this piece are quite incredible. It is definitely one of a kind and so beautifully made. It is super soft and the size is 2.5 inches wide and 85 inches long NOT including the fringe. The fringe is 6 inches long on each side.

❁ DETAILS:
Quantity: The listing is for one full belt (trim) as described above
Size: This belt is 2.5 inches wide x 97 inches long x 2mm thick (It is shipped in one long piece as pictured, we won’t cut it, sorry!)

The Andes are like my second home; I wish I could go as often as my heart wishes, but the treasures I bring from my trips are what keep my heart on continuing wanderlust. The belts and trims we have gathered are all handmade by local artisans, which includes just about the whole entire family. Mothers, fathers, sons, and daughters are all part of this craft and their craft is what sustains their families. We work hard to find the real makers and love to work with them directly and they too, love to share their stories and craft with us and, we would like to take this opportunity to share them with you.

I have certainly seen a lot of patterning done with supplementary wraps in my travels. Ecuador is full of this technique. These trims are actual belts worn by the Kechua & Quechua women throughout the Andes. It’s very common in the Andean part of Ecuador, where women will wear them around their waist to secure their long split skirt called “anaku”. These are said to be the skirts that most closely resemble those used by Inca women with their long split sides. You also see these “belts” being used to secure the hair, to help secure their babies carried in the back, and also used to adorn other accessories, such as camera straps, purses, bags, etc.

The belt – trims can be used for all kinds of crafts and also be worn as they are. The trim is finished on both ends with a fringe in the same colors as the central part of the trim. It can be cut, but I advise that you sew a separation line to stop the trim from fraying once cut. All belts-trims are handmade with a lot of love; the colors are vibrant and the beautiful designs show the patterns used in their clothing and history.