Our Arpillera Line is one of the dearest to our heart. The Arpillera technique gained popularity in the 80's and 90's as a form of expression for women escaping from the violence terrorism brought to the Peruvian countryside (it eventually got to Lima). Women would gather together and recycle materials from other projects and hand stitched a traditional landscape or situation they were living. Many stories that link this technique to Chile and the Pinochet era. Women visiting their relatives in prisons would use the tapestries to carry messages to the political prisoners and from there back into the streets. Sewing and embroidering have always been traditional activities for women in South America so nobody suspected anything. After the decline in terrorism in Peru, many women that had fled their towns, established their families (or what was left of them) in Lima and continued creating Arpilleras to communicate their traditions, their activities and their wishes. We are proud to offer a line of colorful "Arpilleras" that include tapestries, a storybook, a mobile for a childrens' room, a backpack and a small bag. Materials include cotton as a base for the creation and diverse fabrics, often recycled, create the design.