Arpillera: Farmer’s market

A folk art tradition from Chile and Peru, arpilleras are brightly colored patchwork pictures.  The technique to make an arpillera requires much creativity, attention to detail, and dedication to recycling as each quilt is made of sometimes hundreds of tiny fabric scraps. Each fabric scrap is cut just so and hand-stitched into place with extra embroidery to create a three-dimensional work of art.

In this Arpillera by Leonor Quispe, farmers and merchants come together in an open air street market. Shoppers choose from heaps of squash and bananas, potatoes, cabbages and citrus fruits. Sacks of grains round out food offerings, and textiles tempt the home seamstress. Each tiny figure is crafted in three dimensions and lavishly embroidered. A rod can be slipped through an opening at the top for display.

Fair trade from Peru

23.5"x 23.5"