On the far side of the fascinating ruins of Mitla, Gildardo Juárez Sosa weaves excellent quality cotton fabric on huge wooden, hand-operated looms. His teenage son Juan Carlos is already proficient in this handicraft as well. Many patterns incorporate Zapotec designs (such as the geometric stepped fret design known as “grecas”) deriving from the ruins of Mitla. Gildardo’s wife, Ofelia González García, and mother, Natalia Sosa Méndez, assist in assembling, sewing and adding finishing touches – such as embroidery and crocheted and ribbon trim – to the garments and other pieces produced from this weaving. Adjacent to their looms is a well-appointed and airy shop displaying the many items for which this cloth is used, including bedspreads and tablecloths, dresses of many varieties for all ages (young children up to adults), matching shorts and blouses, shirts, pants and shawls (“rebozos”).
