Two Hours Private Backstrap Weaving Workshop in Antigua

I definitely recommend Kakaw Designs to anyone visiting Antigua! My teacher, Melanie, explained everything very well and was incredibly patient. Being able to take home my own weaving makes it such a special souvenir, and I feel very lucky to have learned more about the different textiles and weaving traditions found throughout Guatemala. It was a really valuable experience!

My plans changed last minute and I messaged Kakaw Designs the night before about attending a class. They responded immediately and had a spot for me! I had one-on-one instruction from one of their lovely teachers. I speak very little Spanish (why did I take German in school?!) but I had no problem communicating clearly with my wonderful teacher. She was very patient with me and let me find my own way. I would usually feel pretty overwhelmed with one-on-one instruction, but she gave me space to make mistakes and figure out the solutions. It’s was perfect for me. Thank you so much.

Very patient teacher!,,,,,,,,

This class was a highlight of our trip to Antigua! In a beautiful garden, we met two sisters who shared the mission of empowerment and the cultural tradition of weaving with us. What made it the most meaningful, was engaging with two young women who honor their cultural heritage, and are pursuing opportunities for themselves. Their hospitality and friendship made this a very special experience indeed. It's a "not to be missed" experience when visiting Antigua.

I had a wonderful time at Kakaw Designs for my backstrap weaving class! Melany was a very patient teacher and explained things in an easy-to-understand way. In addition to the basic technique, I learned how to do a mosquito, flower, and stripe. I unfortunately had to run to another commitment so wasn't able to stay to enjoy the treats and cacao, so make sure to give yourself some extra time to stay and relax! Xoshil was so friendly, even when I saw her on the street several days later. Their shop has wonderful souvenirs - I picked up some beautiful Christmas ornaments and a small loom to practice on at home. All in all, it was a lovely experience and a great way to learn more about Guatemalan culture. I would definitely recommend this experience!

Highly recommend this if you have a few days in Antigua. This was an amazing way to spend a couple of hours to learn and appreciate the time and effort it takes to do the weaving you see everywhere. Darlin was my instructor and she was patient and helpful. She only spoke Spanish so it was fun to practice speaking and she would speak slowly and clearly enough for me to understand her. You get to keep the loom and just write down instructions (I have a bad memory) so you can continue your weaving. They will take videos and photos of you weaving with your phone if you ask.

We had such a wonderful experience with our teacher, Melany, and she explained everything slowly in both English and Spanish. One of us was a beginner and was able to easily understand the process in the course of this workshop, which is good for novices and anyone with a little bit of background. They are a small business that work directly with Indigenous communities and Indigenous weavers so we highly recommend this experience (and their shop!) if you want to engage in ethical tourism in Guatemala!

We had such a great afternoon learning the traditional Mayan weaving technique! The garden where the workshop was held was peaceful and beautiful and our teacher was helpful and very patient with us. A unique and memorable way to spend a few hours in Antigua!

We had an amazing time learning backstrap weaving! The instructor was super helpful and kind -- and patient when we made mistakes :) We also got to learn about the many regional style/technique differences, which was super cool to observe throughout our trip around Guatemala! We were also able to pick up some super special pieces from the shop, enjoy the beautiful courtyard at Kakaw Designs, and try some tasty treats! 100% recommend and would love to go back to do a longer course.

What a cool experience! It was neat being able to practice backstrap weaving. I really had no knowledge of it at all beforehand, but I left with tremendous appreciation for the Mayan people and culture. By the end of the workshop, I was able to do the basic weaving plus a few designs such as the mosquitos and a flower. I was quite proud of myself! Thank you to the girls at Kakaw Designs for hosting this workshop and for your patience and kindness!