The Arc-Com Design Studio proudly introduces its new Tintura Collection. A coordinated group of three, patterns Raya, Elevado, and Linea find their inspiration in the ancient art of Guatemalan backstrap weaving and dyeing. Backstrap weaving has been practiced in many different parts of the world for centuries. Today, it is still used in many parts of Guatemala by Mayan women who use the technique to weave fabric for clothing, shawls, baby blankets, tablecloths, towels, and more.Backstrap weaving is traditionally prepared on a simple loom comprised of six to seven rods. These looms are usually made by the weavers and the width of the fabric is determined by the width of the rod. The warp threads are strung onto a back rod which is then tied to a tree or a post. The other end of the loom has a strap that encircles the weaver’s waist. The proper tension of the loom is created by the positioning of the weaver’s body. Typically the backstrap weaver sits on the ground and moves forward or backward to produce the necessary tension. The process is quite physical and the blouses or “huipils” created by the Mayan women are considered very special because their bodies are intimately engaged in every movement of their creation. The backstrap loom is mobile and is simply untied and rolled up whenever the weaver has finished. Historically, Guatemalan women wove with cotton yarns that were hand dyed with natural plant dyes. They would use plants, fruits, insects, and vegetables such as hibiscus flowers, carrots, coconut shells, avocado tree bark, and achiote, to produce beautiful brightly colored fibers for weaving. The literal translation for the Spanish word tintura is dyeing, and the gloriously rich and vibrant color palette for the Tintura Collection was inspired by these ancient dyeing methods. The following are the basic steps involved in the natural dyeing process:* Preparing the Thread:Artisans use banana leaf as a natural mordant that helps the dye to set. To prepare the threads, the artisans boil the banana leaves for two to three hours and then soak the threads in the liquid to prepare them for dyeing.* Creating the dye:Plants or insects are cut into small pieces and then boiled for thirty minutes. Once the dye has reached the desired color,the artisans strain out the plants or insects, and the dye is ready to be used.* Dyeing the thread:The prepared threads are added to the dye and allowed to soak anywhere from thirty minutes to four hours depending on the desired color.* Drying the thread:Once the thread has reached the desired shade, it is removed from the dye and allowed to dry. Once dried, it is ready to be used in creating beautiful backstrap woven textiles.Arc-Com’s Tintura Collection is an in depth study of weave, color, and fiber inspired by Guatemalan textiles and the processes used to create them. Although this collection is commercially woven of 100% polyester and dyed to adhere to current contract performance standards, the Arc-Com Design Team sought to source yarns, explore modern weaving techniques, and discover colors that would capture the beauty and aesthetic of these time honored backstrap weaving and hand dyeing techniques. Pattern Raya (Spanish for stripe) offers a chunky, large scale, multicolored stripe with a hand-woven appeal. Stocked in 13 colors, Raya is the patterned item in the collection.Pattern Linea (Spanish for line) provides a small scale, linear, textured coordinate to pattern Raya but can be used as a standalone textile with tremendous surface interest. Linea comes in 13 colorways.Pattern Elevado (Spanish for raised) offers a dynamic, raised surface, coordinated plain. Elevado comes in 20 vibrant, solid colorways.All three patterns in the Tintura Collection have been tested to 100,000 double rubs and are stocked with a stain resistant and backing.In this fast paced, electronically automated world, the Tintura Collection speaks to an emerging modern desire for textiles that are simple yet unique—that evoke a sense of human touch and a gentler time.
Arc-Com is a leading textile and wall covering supplier in the contract industry. Over the past 40 years, our reputation has been built on customer satisfaction, value added products and solutions and timely completion of projects. The Arc-Com Design Team creates, develops and introduces innovative and high performance textile products for the corporate, hospitality, healthcare and institutional markets. Our Options™ department caters to the requirements of the customer and creates special products to suit client specifications and budgetary concerns. Arc-Com Wall Surfaces is dedicated to the creation, design and development of unique and innovative wall surface materials for the contract market. Arc-Com Wall Surfaces has a comprehensive portfolio of both vinyl and Re-New™ eco-conscious wall surface materials all available in exquisite colorations that complement our diverse fabric lines.
