This weekend's field trip included several stops. The first one was a small village called Becal where the entire village is dedicated to making hats. Once again, I don't know why the photos are in reverse order. Here are students modeling the finished product.
Below is the shaping machine. Once the hat has been woven, it is placed in this machine. This particular family makes about 10 different styles; each style has its own mold. The mold is heated by propane gas and left in place only about 10 seconds.
This woman weaves an average of 2 hats per day in a small underground grotto on the family's property to keep the palm strands flexible. It takes 12-15 days to weave the finest quality hat. The wholesale price varies from $2.00 USD to $80 USD. We were unable to ascertain how much a weaver earns per day, but we all expressed concern about her working conditions and the long-range effect on her lungs, wrists, back and eyes.
The palm strands are dyed and semi-dried before weaving.
Below is the shaping machine. Once the hat has been woven, it is placed in this machine. This particular family makes about 10 different styles; each style has its own mold. The mold is heated by propane gas and left in place only about 10 seconds. 
This woman weaves an average of 2 hats per day in a small underground grotto on the family's property to keep the palm strands flexible. It takes 12-15 days to weave the finest quality hat. The wholesale price varies from $2.00 USD to $80 USD. We were unable to ascertain how much a weaver earns per day, but we all expressed concern about her working conditions and the long-range effect on her lungs, wrists, back and eyes.
The palm strands are dyed and semi-dried before weaving. 
2 comments:
your semester is ending soon?? does that mean new students on their way to join/replace those you have now??
This group leaves Dec 12! I really will be sorry to see them go. As you can see from the photos, they are a fun group. The next group arrives Jan 18 and will be here until May 8. I am working on the field trip schedule for next semester...there will be some repeats but also some new ones, too.
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