Traditional Weaving < Melinda J. Irvine

hand-woven from pineapple

banana fibre and cotton,

hablon

This week my local shopping mall had a display in tribute to the local weavers of Iloilo province. They produce hablon cloth, a tightly woven textile in bright checks with interesting contrasts. Hablon is still used for traditional clothing and tablecloths and has a lustre that quickly grabs your attention.

I was fascinated by the simple construction of the loom (just local lumber and bamboo) yet the finished fabrics are tightly woven and professionally textured. The display brought back childhood memories of hand-weaving on a cardboard box with left-over wool (I would have been about 7 or 8 years old) so I’m keen to meet some of the local weavers, buy some of their fabric, and learn more about their art.

Hablon Cloth, Heritage, Iloilo City, Philippine Culture, Textiles, Weaving

Melinda J. Irvine

Melinda J. Irvine is a freelance writer, blogger and creative. She writes for business clients and online publications all over the world. When she’s not writing about holistic health and ways to become a more effective writer, Mel is practicing tai chi and supporting the emotional wellbeing of marginalised kids in the Philippines. Sometimes she even has time to cross stitch.

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