From Pineapple Plants to Cloth: Part One

June 16, 2021September 6, 2020 by peggyosterkamp

The first step is cutting the leaves in the field. Here you can see the length of the leaves and that they all seem to be the same length.

Inside, the process begins. The set-up is on the floor.

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The leaves are stripped.

Then they are scraped. The scraper was a broken plate.

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Finally the leaves are stripped down to the fibers. Next time, how the fibers of a certain length turn into long threads for warps and wefts.

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Woven Philippine Designs and One More Embroidery

June 16, 2021September 4, 2020 by peggyosterkamp

This embroidered cotton cloth was hanging in a museum and fascinated me. Cathy and I found one in an antique shop and I brought it home. It always brings a smile. I put in on my bed sometimes just to enjoy it. See the next photo.

The designs are frogs! I forget why they wanted frogs, but I love them.

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We saw designs woven, too. They very much remind me of embroidery. Inlay is the technique.

Another loom with inlay designs. Lots of white but not always.

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A demonstration showing pineapple fibers we saw on a sidewalk. More in future posts about the fibers.

Looms weaving the fine pineapple fibers. The cloth is called pina. Often the warp is silk with only the pineapple fibers as weft. You’ll see why in future photos.

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More Embroidery on Pina Cloth

June 16, 2021September 2, 2020 by peggyosterkamp

I’ve been looking at my photos from my trip to the Philippines in February of 2016 for more embroidery because the last post’s embroidery really moved me. This is on a gorgeous pina (pronounced pin-ya) cloth (made of pineapple fiber). This blue cloth may look familiar. I think both the warp and weft are the pina.

Here is a blouse I bought and was told it was for “pure” girls to wear! I have worn to the opera on occasion. It may not be pina because I only paid $50 if I remember correctly. But look at the embroidery.

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This is the back of the blouse. Coming or going it is impressive.

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My Textile Treasures

April 29, 2016 by peggyosterkamp

People have asked me why I am buying something on a trip and what am I going to do with it? My answer has been (to myself) “to have it”. I got inspired to really put away my textiles honorably when I visited a friend I met on the Philippines trip. Here is the result.

Japanese fragments & piece from an obi made of cocoons. Old blouse from Philippines, white wool piece with henna from Morocco, old tape loom. (I had the bars put up when I moved in 6 years ago.)

Textiles on shelves and in drawers in sideboard.

Blouse from Philippines, belt from Morocco, under kimono from Japan, narrow pieces from Japan, ikat hanging by me.

Drawers in tansu with scarves. Other places for my pj's, etc. — Drawers in tansu with scarves. Other places for my pj’s, etc.

Scarves in drawers of tansu chest. I need discipline to put them away after wearing them.

Japanese things. Ceremonial kimono with fireflies design, obi made with fan reed, tea pot with fish lever to adjust height. Art piece by Adela Akers.

Case with earrings and hair pieces from the Philippines. combs from India, Collage by Milton Sonday, textile art by Adela Akers. Japanese sake bottle and vase.

Peggy’s Weaving Tour – Final Philippines Day (16)

March 5, 2016 by peggyosterkamp

Every day on my weaving tour of Japan and the Philippines I will repost all of my InstaGram posts here on my blog. I hope you enjoy my adventures.

My blog, Facebook, Instagram and email notices are not behaving well together so if you are viewing this in FACEBOOK just click the post text to see the full post (with photos) on my blog. If you are viewing this in an EMAIL just click the post title to see the full post on my blog.

Final Day 16 My special treasure from the Philippines is this pair of ear rings from one of the antique shops. They are made the bill of the hornbill bird.

A photo posted by Peggy Osterkamp (@peggyoster) on Feb 17, 2016 at 2:44pm PST

We caught a glimpse of Mt Fuji when taking off from Narita airport in Tokyo on the way home. Seems good to end a trip with a sunset.

A photo posted by Peggy Osterkamp (@peggyoster) on Feb 17, 2016 at 2:49pm PST

Home at last to see my special orchids blooming. When I opened the door the whole apartment smelled of its perfume.

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Peggy’s Weaving Tour – Philippines Day 15

March 3, 2016 by peggyosterkamp

Day 15 Cathy and I took a taxi to a shopping place called Tienda Statis (?). We were told there would be antique dealers and old textile shops. This what we found in the huge almost deserted space. There were probably 50dog groomers and pet shops.

A photo posted by Peggy Osterkamp (@peggyoster) on Feb 17, 2016 at 2:19pm PST

You could look in the windows and watch your dog getting groomed.

A photo posted by Peggy Osterkamp (@peggyoster) on Feb 17, 2016 at 2:25pm PST

Only one cat shop but these looked exotic.

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This old blouse from the Spanish time was beautifully framed between two pieces of glass in one of two antique shops we found there.

A photo posted by Peggy Osterkamp (@peggyoster) on Feb 17, 2016 at 2:28pm PST

I bough this old blouse. It's fragile but I love the sleeves. It's woven in an open weave with abaca fiber. That's all I know but I love it.

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The embroidery on the sleeve I like very much.

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Pizza for our night out after the group left.

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Peggy’s Weaving Tour – Philippines Day 14

March 2, 2016 by peggyosterkamp

Day 14. We drove in Manila traffic to an area with antique and old textile shops. From the bus it was easy to photograph a typical tricycle used all over the country for public transportation. Most had little canopies over the "driver" and carried several passengers

A photo posted by Peggy Osterkamp (@peggyoster) on Feb 16, 2016 at 2:21am PST

Still Day 14 another scene from our drive to visit antique dealers. We were told that when an electric wire doesn't work they just put up another wire. This mass was nothing but it is what I could take from our van.

A photo posted by Peggy Osterkamp (@peggyoster) on Feb 17, 2016 at 1:57pm PST

We came this great shop after visiting some antique stores — both for more shopping

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I got this necklace at Manila Collectibles. These shells were incised. We saw others around but I loved the proportion and scale these. I am imagining they will look striking.

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Our farewell dinner with a show was fun.

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Peggy’s Weaving Tour – Philippines Day 13

March 1, 2016 by peggyosterkamp

Day 13 Valentines day for us. We took a 3 -hour drive in our van to Lumban, Lugana–the embroidery Capitol of the Philippines. On the way all over we have seen these Jeepneys (spelling?) which are a main type of public transportation. They are customized– maybe with a Mercedes emblem on the front. They will stop anywhere and I saw some depots, too.

A photo posted by Peggy Osterkamp (@peggyoster) on Feb 14, 2016 at 7:50pm PST

This was a leper facility originally where the nuns taught the residents embroidery and bobbin lace.

A photo posted by Peggy Osterkamp (@peggyoster) on Feb 14, 2016 at 7:58pm PST

Bobbin lace making is fast paced and takes a lot of pins. The fingers and bobbins flew to make the patterns.

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This was an experimental and monumental piece. The piece is completed here. Just working with black threads is a challenge because they are hard to see. A blurry close up follows.

A photo posted by Peggy Osterkamp (@peggyoster) on Feb 14, 2016 at 8:02pm PST

A close up of the black lace piece. You can see the pins that hold the threads in place while making the lace. Here they are ready to be removed. I would leave them in as long as possible, too, to show all the work that went into the piece.

A photo posted by Peggy Osterkamp (@peggyoster) on Feb 14, 2016 at 8:04pm PST

We stopped along the way at this lovely pottery place and met the potter. There were s lot of nice things but too big or heavy for us to bring home. I bought a coffee mug in indigo blue. One never has enough of them, right?

A photo posted by Peggy Osterkamp (@peggyoster) on Feb 14, 2016 at 8:07pm PST

I bought this from the last weaving because the weaver there had woven it and because I always like this design when I see it. It's woven with a dark thread and a light one together In the shuttle. This makes it random which one comes out of the shuttle on top at any given time. Similar "patterns" can be made if you twist the dark and light threads– if twisted one direction you get sort of twill lines going in one direction and going the other direction if you twist them the opposite way.

A photo posted by Peggy Osterkamp (@peggyoster) on Feb 14, 2016 at 9:13pm PST

Our last stop before a 2- hour ride home was for dinner at the home and workshop of a famous fashion designer, Patis Tesoro in the town of Viaja del Sol. She uses pina and has much of it embroidered on and some painted designs as well. I wanted very much to buy a sleeve that was out when we came but it was for a customer and she wouldn't sell it. I had hoped they could have cut out another sleeve but not so. Probably they were under a deadline. The embroidery on the edge of the piece cut out for the sleeve was in black. Very elegant on the very white pina cloth. I think maybe I'll use that idea for something when I get home.

A photo posted by Peggy Osterkamp (@peggyoster) on Feb 14, 2016 at 9:20pm PST

Simple embroidery or running stitch or just a basting stitch? It's all how you look at it. I like this idea and am glad I bought pieces of the pina fabric as well as silk.

A photo posted by Peggy Osterkamp (@peggyoster) on Feb 14, 2016 at 9:22pm PST

Peggy’s Weaving Tour – Philippines Day 12

February 29, 2016 by peggyosterkamp

Day 12. Iloilo City. The only looms today!

A photo posted by Peggy Osterkamp (@peggyoster) on Feb 13, 2016 at 4:49pm PST

A view of the type of once-fine old houses. Iloilo used to be the textile Capitol of the Philippines. Then the British came in with cheap imports which nearly killed the businesses.

A photo posted by Peggy Osterkamp (@peggyoster) on Feb 13, 2016 at 4:51pm PST

Typical of the floor boards I. The old houses

A photo posted by Peggy Osterkamp (@peggyoster) on Feb 13, 2016 at 4:51pm PST

Peggy’s Weaving Tour – Philippines Day 11

February 27, 2016 by peggyosterkamp

Every day on my weaving tour of Japan and the Philippines I will repost all of my InstaGram posts here on my blog. I hope you enjoy my adventures.

My blog, Facebook, Instagram and email notices are not behaving well together so if you are viewing this in FACEBOOK just click the post text to see the full post (with photos) on my blog. If you are viewing this in an EMAIL just click the post title to see the full post on my blog.

Day 11. This was the first weaving and shop place we visited today. May we visited 6 places today! All had looms being woven on and things to sell. There were many shopping frenzied but that’s dying down by now.

A photo posted by Peggy Osterkamp (@peggyoster) on Feb 12, 2016 at 5:40am PST

They were weaving these motifs for graduation sashes. See the next photo for the shocking number of heddle rods on the loom.

A photo posted by Peggy Osterkamp (@peggyoster) on Feb 12, 2016 at 5:42am PST

The huge number of heddle roads on the loom for making the patterns.

A photo posted by Peggy Osterkamp (@peggyoster) on Feb 12, 2016 at 5:44am PST

The next place we went to in the town of Iloilo.

A photo posted by Peggy Osterkamp (@peggyoster) on Feb 12, 2016 at 5:47am PST

We saw several places where this type of patterns were woven. I think I learned to call it “meet and separate” technique. Very attractive. In this area people like to put on shiny metallics in the cloth.

A photo posted by Peggy Osterkamp (@peggyoster) on Feb 12, 2016 at 5:50am PST

These little “tents” were for keeping fighting cocks. There would be one cock per little “house”. We saw s lot of them in this area.

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Here is how bobbins were wound.

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Inside is the weaving shed

A photo posted by Peggy Osterkamp (@peggyoster) on Feb 12, 2016 at 6:00am PST

Another nice pattern. I bought one of these. I liked that I could meet the weaver. She said she is 27. Nice to see young ones coming up.

A photo posted by Peggy Osterkamp (@peggyoster) on Feb 12, 2016 at 6:03am PST

“My” weaver is on the right. I think the others were the owners of the business.

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Peggy’s Weaving Tour – Philippines Day 10

February 22, 2016 by peggyosterkamp

Day 10 in and around Kalibo. We walked in this rice paddy to the home of a woman who does beautiful macrame.

A photo posted by Peggy Osterkamp (@peggyoster) on Feb 11, 2016 at 5:10am PST

The path to the house. The vegetation is really tropical and so was the heat. I learned how useful an umbrella is to keep the sun off and still allow some breeze through.

A photo posted by Peggy Osterkamp (@peggyoster) on Feb 11, 2016 at 5:13am PST

She is using the fiber to make a thick table runner. I forget the name of the leaf that the fiber comes from. You can see the roll she is working on.

A photo posted by Peggy Osterkamp (@peggyoster) on Feb 11, 2016 at 5:22am PST

The pattern is really intricate.

A photo posted by Peggy Osterkamp (@peggyoster) on Feb 11, 2016 at 5:24am PST

Then we visited a weaving workshop this weaver is inlaying colorful designs on a loom with a complex pattern making set up. See the next photo.

A photo posted by Peggy Osterkamp (@peggyoster) on Feb 11, 2016 at 5:35am PST

All these sticks were in place to create the patterns she wanted. It was interesting to see the pattern-making devices used on all the looms we've been seeing. The sticks farthest away in the photo were rods with heddles.

A photo posted by Peggy Osterkamp (@peggyoster) on Feb 11, 2016 at 5:39am PST

A close up showing the two fine threads and all the crossed that are made on this device. It seems that this is traditional to this area.

A photo posted by Peggy Osterkamp (@peggyoster) on Feb 11, 2016 at 5:53am PST

Again pina (pineapple fiber) was being woven. Here it is only in the weft. The warp is silk because it is stronger which makes it easier to weave because the silk threads don't break as often. You can recognize the combination of pina and silk because the irregular lines go only one direction (horizontally or in the weft direction).

A photo posted by Peggy Osterkamp (@peggyoster) on Feb 11, 2016 at 6:26am PST

This is 100% pina cloth. The warp as wellmad the weft is pina thread. You can recognize the cloth because the irregularities go both horizontally and vertically. The cloth really speaks to me like cloth woven of handspun threads does.

A photo posted by Peggy Osterkamp (@peggyoster) on Feb 11, 2016 at 6:30am PST

This is embroidery. The whole cloth was beautifully embroidered. See the next photo.

A photo posted by Peggy Osterkamp (@peggyoster) on Feb 11, 2016 at 6:39am PST

A view of a part of the whole cloth. It was embroidered after it was woven.

A photo posted by Peggy Osterkamp (@peggyoster) on Feb 11, 2016 at 6:40am PST

Peggy’s Weaving Tour – Philippines Day 9

February 22, 2016 by peggyosterkamp

Day 9 the end of a perfectly wonderful day for a weaver! We met this woman who explained how pineapple fiber is grown, harvested, processed into thread, and woven. She took us for dinner to a place on a river and we had fish caught an hour before our dinner. I am wearing a cloth made of 100% pina and dyed with indigo. In the morning we took a flight south to Kalibo on Panay Island.

A photo posted by Peggy Osterkamp (@peggyoster) on Feb 10, 2016 at 4:19am PST

We went to see the red pineapple plants grown for the fibers in the leaves to weave the pina cloth.

A photo posted by Peggy Osterkamp (@peggyoster) on Feb 10, 2016 at 4:24am PST

The women are yanking the pineapple plant leaves which usually are not harvested until they are 1 1/2 meters long. The edges are really sharp. I brushed by a plant and my hand strung for a long time.

A photo posted by Peggy Osterkamp (@peggyoster) on Feb 10, 2016 at 4:27am PST

The leaves were then taken to a workshop where they were processed into threads.

A photo posted by Peggy Osterkamp (@peggyoster) on Feb 10, 2016 at 4:29am PST

The leaf was scraped on both sides using a broken dinner plate

A photo posted by Peggy Osterkamp (@peggyoster) on Feb 10, 2016 at 4:31am PST

The fibers were eventually revealed and combed.

A photo posted by Peggy Osterkamp (@peggyoster) on Feb 10, 2016 at 4:32am PST

There were 6 or 8 men and women taking single, individual fibers and tying them end- to-end to make the long threads for weaving. They used a knot we know as the weaver’s knot. After trying the knot, the thread was placed in a bowl.

A photo posted by Peggy Osterkamp (@peggyoster) on Feb 10, 2016 at 4:38am PST

The bowl obtained one long strand of thread, ready to be measured out for the warp which is put on the loom.

A photo posted by Peggy Osterkamp (@peggyoster) on Feb 10, 2016 at 4:40am PST

Here is the fiber when it is removed from the plastic bowl. It’s is miles of a single strand that was carefully placed in to bowl as the individual fibers are bring knotted together. I bought one of these “patties”. It is beautiful and represents 2 weeks with of knitting– not full time work, however.

A photo posted by Peggy Osterkamp (@peggyoster) on Feb 10, 2016 at 4:45am PST

Two “patties” are put into a carton and sprinkled with sand to keep them in place as the threads are taken from the box to the warping mill. The fibers would fly around if not held down by the sprinkling of sand.

A photo posted by Peggy Osterkamp (@peggyoster) on Feb 10, 2016 at 4:48am PST

This is how the threads are measured out to make the warp which are the threads that are put on the loom for weaving the cloth. We use a warping board or warping reel. None of us had ever seen anything like this. You can see the carton with the threads in the sand.

A photo posted by Peggy Osterkamp (@peggyoster) on Feb 10, 2016 at 4:52am PST

Two threads are measured out together ( one from each patty in the box.) the threads here were being measured out on another mill.

A photo posted by Peggy Osterkamp (@peggyoster) on Feb 10, 2016 at 4:54am PST

Here is the weaving room! It was wonderful to see all these weavers. There were several variations of plain weave on the different looms. There are 124 threads per inch to make this sheer cloth.

A photo posted by Peggy Osterkamp (@peggyoster) on Feb 10, 2016 at 4:57am PST

Some looms were set up with special heddles to inlay weft threads to make patterns.

A photo posted by Peggy Osterkamp (@peggyoster) on Feb 10, 2016 at 4:59am PST

The pineapples are really red. They are smaller than the ones we eat and are given to the animals to eat rather than bothering to eat them we were told

A photo posted by Peggy Osterkamp (@peggyoster) on Feb 10, 2016 at 5:04am PST

Peggy’s Weaving Tour – Philippines Day 8

February 21, 2016 by peggyosterkamp

I’M FINALLY POSTING AGAIN HERE ON MY WEBSITE AFTER SKIPPING A WEEK. ACTUALLY MY AMAZING WEB GUY (and photographer) BOB DOES THE POSTING AND HE WAS IN CUBA THIS PAST WEEK WITH WORSE WI-FI THAN I HAD IN THE PHILIPPINES (you should see his photos!!). WE WILL POST TWO DAYS EACH DAY FROM NOW ON UNTIL WE GET CAUGHT UP.

Day 8. This is the entrance to the Balay ni Atong shops and study center in the town of La Union which is a part of San Fernando.

A photo posted by Peggy Osterkamp (@peggyoster) on Feb 9, 2016 at 5:39am PST

This is the inside of the shop.

A photo posted by Peggy Osterkamp (@peggyoster) on Feb 9, 2016 at 5:40am PST

An interesting scene in La Union on the way to lunch.

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Our wonderful dessert. It’s called Halo-halo.

A photo posted by Peggy Osterkamp (@peggyoster) on Feb 9, 2016 at 5:43am PST

This is the way to eat a halo-halo–you stir all the ingredients up. I took off the purple ice cream first– couldn’t bear to have it all mixed in.

A photo posted by Peggy Osterkamp (@peggyoster) on Feb 9, 2016 at 5:45am PST

Traffic at an intersection in La Union.

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Our last stop today was to a shop in Manilla, the Custom Made Crafts Center. They have lovely fabrics and objects made out of them.

A photo posted by Peggy Osterkamp (@peggyoster) on Feb 9, 2016 at 5:50am PST

These are examples of the well designed and appealing objects made of hand woven cloth.

A photo posted by Peggy Osterkamp (@peggyoster) on Feb 9, 2016 at 5:52am PST

Rolls of stiff fabrics woven of abaca fibers. Everything in the shop was attractive. There was the usual shopping frenzy.

A photo posted by Peggy Osterkamp (@peggyoster) on Feb 9, 2016 at 5:54am PST

Peggy’s Weaving Tour – Philippines Day 7

February 9, 2016 by peggyosterkamp

Every day on my weaving tour of Japan and the Philippines I will repost all of my InstaGram posts here on my blog. I hope you enjoy my adventures.

My blog, Facebook, Instagram and email notices are not behaving well together so if you are viewing this in FACEBOOK just click the post text to see the full post (with photos) on my blog. If you are viewing this in an EMAIL just click the post title to see the full post on my blog.

Day 7. We stopped to take photos of this church in the town of Bantay going south this morning.

A photo posted by Peggy Osterkamp (@peggyoster) on Feb 8, 2016 at 6:19am PST

The bell tower near the big church was built as a watch tower to watch out for pirates. Lots a tourists swarming around.

A photo posted by Peggy Osterkamp (@peggyoster) on Feb 8, 2016 at 6:23am PST

We spent the afternoon in the town of Vigan. Another popular tourist spot because oh the old houses and the architecture was a fusion of Philippine, Spanish and American. The main living quarters would be on the second floor. And the windows and other architectural features allowed for letting in welcomed breezes. Many in the town were abandoned.

A photo posted by Peggy Osterkamp (@peggyoster) on Feb 8, 2016 at 6:29am PST

We toured one well restored mansion in the town. The textiles hanging over the table were there to fan the diners. They were connected to ropes and someone would stand nearby and pull them to make them fan the guests.

A photo posted by Peggy Osterkamp (@peggyoster) on Feb 8, 2016 at 6:32am PST

We left Vigan and drove 4 1/2 hours or more going more south to the town of La Union. On the way were rice fields that had been harvested. Goats and cows were grazing in the fields.

A photo posted by Peggy Osterkamp (@peggyoster) on Feb 8, 2016 at 6:36am PST

Caught this nice sunset while caught in terrible traffic on a very bumpy road to La Union. I got a lot of knitting done on the long ride. Our goal in La Union was the Thunderbird casino and hotel.

A photo posted by Peggy Osterkamp (@peggyoster) on Feb 8, 2016 at 6:41am PST

Peggy’s Weaving Tour – Philippines Day 6

February 8, 2016 by peggyosterkamp

Day 6 in the city of Laoag in the northern province. We went to two museums then our bus took us out in the countryside to visit several weavers.

A photo posted by Peggy Osterkamp (@peggyoster) on Feb 7, 2016 at 4:45am PST

This gorgeous thing is a special hatchet used my head hunters! The museum had textiles but all the stuff/rituals about the head hunters was a big focus.

A photo posted by Peggy Osterkamp (@peggyoster) on Feb 7, 2016 at 4:48am PST

Two more tools for head hunters!

A photo posted by Peggy Osterkamp (@peggyoster) on Feb 7, 2016 at 4:50am PST

Earrings for head hunting made of hornbill bill (?) and other things

A photo posted by Peggy Osterkamp (@peggyoster) on Feb 7, 2016 at 4:52am PST

Sally and I bought hats made out of gourds with intricate basketry inside. I'm not sure how I'll get it home. I took the smallest one thinking it will be easier to carry.

A photo posted by Peggy Osterkamp (@peggyoster) on Feb 7, 2016 at 4:55am PST

We went to a weaving school in Pinili where a 92 year old woman taught. She is famous for her innovative designs. There were 20 or so looms with different patters set up so people on our tour could really get a sense of how weaving is done and how designs in fabrics are woven in.

A photo posted by Peggy Osterkamp (@peggyoster) on Feb 7, 2016 at 5:00am PST

Famous Magdalena Gamayo and one of the children around the school.

A photo posted by Peggy Osterkamp (@peggyoster) on Feb 7, 2016 at 5:02am PST

We stopped at this old church in Pacay just long enough to get photos since we had 3 more weaving cooperatives to visit.

A photo posted by Peggy Osterkamp (@peggyoster) on Feb 7, 2016 at 5:05am PST

We saw a plot of dragon fruit plants. They are related to Night Blooming Ceres plants. That the one that blooms at night for one night only. The flower is a big as a grapefruit and gorgeous. My plant only blooms once a year.

A photo posted by Peggy Osterkamp (@peggyoster) on Feb 7, 2016 at 5:08am PST

A close up of the dragon fruit plant.

A photo posted by Peggy Osterkamp (@peggyoster) on Feb 7, 2016 at 5:09am PST

I bought this blanket because the osttern wasn't symmetrical like the other patterns. It is a simple weave that I used to teach my beginners. The weaver is posing with it. I guess it will have to be packed with my gourd hat somehow.

A photo posted by Peggy Osterkamp (@peggyoster) on Feb 7, 2016 at 5:12am PST

Just one of the shopping frenzies that take place where ever we go. The prices for these handwoven textiles as well as the traditional designs make them irritable. It was a long and wonderful day out in the country side.

A photo posted by Peggy Osterkamp (@peggyoster) on Feb 7, 2016 at 5:14am PST

Peggy’s Weaving Tour – Philippines Day 5

February 8, 2016 by peggyosterkamp

Day 5. True sign you are in a Philippine airport. We flew at night north of Manilla to Laoag City

A photo posted by Peggy Osterkamp (@peggyoster) on Feb 6, 2016 at 4:11pm PST

Another airport scene. WiFi is dicey do maybe not much to send from here hotel is slightly above marginal.

A photo posted by Peggy Osterkamp (@peggyoster) on Feb 6, 2016 at 4:14pm PST

Yesterday I thought the pineapple field was interesting. Today mostly was travel with two flights. One in the morning and the other at night do we had two airport experiences but we made it.

A photo posted by Peggy Osterkamp (@peggyoster) on Feb 6, 2016 at 4:19pm PST

A close up of pineapple plants. It surprised me to see that the plants were so close together.

A photo posted by Peggy Osterkamp (@peggyoster) on Feb 6, 2016 at 4:22pm PST

A closer view of a pineapple plant. The fruit has been cut off. We saw workers leaving for the day standing in the back of a truck. They wear gloves up to the elbows to protect them from the spikey plants.

A photo posted by Peggy Osterkamp (@peggyoster) on Feb 6, 2016 at 4:25pm PST

Peggy’s Weaving Tour – Philippines Day 4

February 6, 2016 by peggyosterkamp

Day 4. We drove through jungle and this kind of landscape to another weaving village. T'bong Village. More later

A photo posted by Peggy Osterkamp (@peggyoster) on Feb 4, 2016 at 9:54pm PST

Day 4 continued. We visited this shop and workshop that made lovely purses, wallet, and bags out the ikat cloth we've been seeing woven by the local women. It looks like a cooperative and is connected to a network of shops selling local crafts. The name is Klowil Agricultural Enterprise Mulyi-Purpose Coperative.

A photo posted by Peggy Osterkamp (@peggyoster) on Feb 5, 2016 at 5:09am PST

The Klowil Coperative has all these sewing machines and here is where they make the things for the shop as well as wholesale elsewhere. The location is in South Cotabato Province in Mindanao.

A photo posted by Peggy Osterkamp (@peggyoster) on Feb 5, 2016 at 5:13am PST

This woman gave me some of the abaca fiber. The man explained the heritage of the weavers. Several are the grandchildren of the woman who all revered.

A photo posted by Peggy Osterkamp (@peggyoster) on Feb 5, 2016 at 5:20am PST

There was s buying frenzy. It was surprising the number of people there were–probably 30 or so– we have 16 in our group and the reducers the weavers. A grandson explained things to us.

A photo posted by Peggy Osterkamp (@peggyoster) on Feb 5, 2016 at 5:28am PST

Here is the weaver whose cloth I bought. She is rolling it up in the photo. I liked the red border.

A photo posted by Peggy Osterkamp (@peggyoster) on Feb 5, 2016 at 5:33am PST

Here the cloth is being polished to make it shiny. He is rubbing the cloth with s she'll and using quite s bit of muscle.

A photo posted by Peggy Osterkamp (@peggyoster) on Feb 5, 2016 at 5:37am PST

Peggy’s Weaving Tour – Philippines Day 3

February 5, 2016 by peggyosterkamp

Day 3. We flew south to lake Sebu and visited weavers in the vial page o Lamkanidang. We had to climb a ladder to get to the top floor where we were met by about 20 weavers. They demonstrated the process of preparing and weaving okay with abaca fiber.

A photo posted by Peggy Osterkamp (@peggyoster) on Feb 4, 2016 at 3:39pm PST

The next morning on the lake

A photo posted by Peggy Osterkamp (@peggyoster) on Feb 4, 2016 at 3:39pm PST

We are in jungle country. With the same climate.

A photo posted by Peggy Osterkamp (@peggyoster) on Feb 4, 2016 at 3:40pm PST

Children in the village where we could buy the woven work of the women weavers.

A photo posted by Peggy Osterkamp (@peggyoster) on Feb 4, 2016 at 3:42pm PST

We road in this truck instead of a long walk to the village

A photo posted by Peggy Osterkamp (@peggyoster) on Feb 4, 2016 at 3:43pm PST

The weavers met us when we finally got there after s long walk on a dirt road. It was worth it.

A photo posted by Peggy Osterkamp (@peggyoster) on Feb 4, 2016 at 9:48pm PST

Peggy’s Weaving Tour – Philippines Day 2

February 4, 2016 by peggyosterkamp

Every day on my weaving tour of Japan and the Philippines I will repost all of my InstaGram posts here on my blog. I hope you enjoy my adventures.

A loom for weaving pineapple fiber. I can't wait to see it being woven and I hope I can buy some yo dye.

A photo posted by Peggy Osterkamp (@peggyoster) on Feb 3, 2016 at 5:58am PST

Weaving abaca fiber cloth on s blackstrap loom.

A photo posted by Peggy Osterkamp (@peggyoster) on Feb 3, 2016 at 6:00am PST

Making a warp demo.

A photo posted by Peggy Osterkamp (@peggyoster) on Feb 3, 2016 at 6:14am PST

I noticed this spaghetti of wires then noticed the name on the building.!

A photo posted by Peggy Osterkamp (@peggyoster) on Feb 3, 2016 at 6:16am PST

An interesting description for the next photo.

A photo posted by Peggy Osterkamp (@peggyoster) on Feb 3, 2016 at 6:17am PST

These are large pieces. Even used for ship sails. I loved the explanation

A photo posted by Peggy Osterkamp (@peggyoster) on Feb 3, 2016 at 6:19am PST

From our hotel window in Manilla. Off at 4:30 in the morning for a flight to the south.

A photo posted by Peggy Osterkamp (@peggyoster) on Feb 3, 2016 at 6:20am PST

Peggy’s Weaving Tour – Philippines Day 1

February 3, 2016 by peggyosterkamp

Day 1 in the Philippines: Manilla. This is the view this morning from our hotel window. We are on the 8th floor. It was a beautiful morning.

A photo posted by Peggy Osterkamp (@peggyoster) on Feb 2, 2016 at 4:11am PST

This gorgeous dish of squid in its ink was one of several dishes at lunch. My new friend next to me pointed out how lovely the Lacey edge of the ink was. Then we wondered if squid ink was ever used as a dye.

A photo posted by Peggy Osterkamp (@peggyoster) on Feb 2, 2016 at 4:18am PST

I folded a napkin and dipped the edges in the ink that was on my plate and blotted it between two napkins.

A photo posted by Peggy Osterkamp (@peggyoster) on Feb 2, 2016 at 4:20am PST

I began to unfold the napkin.

A photo posted by Peggy Osterkamp (@peggyoster) on Feb 2, 2016 at 4:22am PST

Tonight I completely unfolded my napkin. It smells a little fishy.

A photo posted by Peggy Osterkamp (@peggyoster) on Feb 2, 2016 at 4:25am PST

We walked to this museum from our hotel. It's pretty new with innovative display spaces. We went to see indigenous textiles and there was also a fabulous gold exhibit.

A photo posted by Peggy Osterkamp (@peggyoster) on Feb 2, 2016 at 4:29am PST

There were several malls around and one led to the next. I liked the name of this place. After dinner it was surprising to see the malls crowded–on a Tuesday night.

A photo posted by Peggy Osterkamp (@peggyoster) on Feb 2, 2016 at 4:31am PST

Peggy’s Weaving Tour – Japan Day 7

February 2, 2016 by peggyosterkamp

All packed up to leave Tokyo. I wasn't sure I could get everything into my two suitcases. Hanging with n the hook is my travel vest with lots of pockets inside. I hope I don't find much to buy in the Philippines!

A photo posted by Peggy Osterkamp (@peggyoster) on Feb 1, 2016 at 8:45am PST

A sign at Narita airport. It's a huge place; we easily spent 4 hours wandering around the shops.

A photo posted by Peggy Osterkamp (@peggyoster) on Feb 1, 2016 at 8:56am PST

There was a fantastic origami shop with wonderful things people made.

A photo posted by Peggy Osterkamp (@peggyoster) on Feb 1, 2016 at 9:06am PST

Here's Cathy having fun with her new friend ST Narita airport.

A photo posted by Peggy Osterkamp (@peggyoster) on Feb 2, 2016 at 5:24am PST

Peggy’s Weaving Tour – Japan Day 6

February 1, 2016 by peggyosterkamp

This is what the enormous lines were for yesterday. We thought it might be to get tickets for a cherry blossom event! That's how wrong you can misunderstand someone's explanation! There were thousands lined up again today!

A photo posted by Peggy Osterkamp (@peggyoster) on Jan 31, 2016 at 3:18am PST

Cathy, my travel partner, gets us where we want to go on the subway trains.

A photo posted by Peggy Osterkamp (@peggyoster) on Jan 31, 2016 at 3:24am PST

We went to a good flea market today (Sunday) that was at Yasukuni Shrine and I got some old books and some textiles. I think I got better at bargaining but maybe not!

A photo posted by Peggy Osterkamp (@peggyoster) on Jan 31, 2016 at 3:54am PST

Cathy looking through a pile of textiles.

A photo posted by Peggy Osterkamp (@peggyoster) on Jan 31, 2016 at 3:55am PST

Yasukuni Shrine is big and in the city.

A photo posted by Peggy Osterkamp (@peggyoster) on Jan 31, 2016 at 3:58am PST

One of the beautiful buildings at the shrine.

A photo posted by Peggy Osterkamp (@peggyoster) on Jan 31, 2016 at 4:00am PST

I thought this was an interesting poster at a beauty shop. None of the trendy young women that I saw looked like this. They were beautiful and looked Japanese.

A photo posted by Peggy Osterkamp (@peggyoster) on Jan 31, 2016 at 4:03am PST

We stopped for cakes at a pop up cafe in the Mitsukoshi department store. We got one of each and split them. Yum.

A photo posted by Peggy Osterkamp (@peggyoster) on Jan 31, 2016 at 4:07am PST

After our cake Cathy figured out how we would get home. It was another perfect day and our last in Tokyo. I wish I could come every year.

A photo posted by Peggy Osterkamp (@peggyoster) on Jan 31, 2016 at 4:10am PST

I bought this at the flea market. It's silk, feels very nice, and I loved the various colors and designs. There are 5 panels so I think it might have been s futon cover. It's the weaving that I love.

A photo posted by Peggy Osterkamp (@peggyoster) on Jan 31, 2016 at 4:13am PST

The books I found at the flea market. Greatly cheaper than the one I bought at an antique shop the other day.

A photo posted by Peggy Osterkamp (@peggyoster) on Jan 31, 2016 at 4:16am PST

I don't know what this is. It came folded up inside the envelope in the photo. I love the colors of the paper.

A photo posted by Peggy Osterkamp (@peggyoster) on Jan 31, 2016 at 4:18am PST

The last of my flea market finds. Two furoshiki. I got them for the colors but may not want to cut them after all. What I also like is that different colors will be joined when the corners are tied when used to wrap something.

A photo posted by Peggy Osterkamp (@peggyoster) on Jan 31, 2016 at 4:22am PST

Peggy’s Weaving Tour – Japan Day 5

January 31, 2016 by peggyosterkamp

Every day on my weaving tour of Japan and the Philippines I will repost all of my InstaGram posts here on my blog. I hope you enjoy my adventures.

Day 5 We take a 10-minute walkway in a tunnel to the Shinjuku Station this morning we encountered thousands of people lined up on both sides of the tunnel. We think they were lined up to get tickets for some cherry blossom event. It was shocking to see so many people lined up.

A photo posted by Peggy Osterkamp (@peggyoster) on Jan 30, 2016 at 3:16am PST

This was s great shop visible from the Wakamatsu Kawata Station. There were three floors of folk crafts from different areas of Japan. We spent over an hour just looking at the textiles. There was good pottery and other crafts in this small shop. I did my Christmas shopping there and treated myself while I was at it!

A photo posted by Peggy Osterkamp (@peggyoster) on Jan 30, 2016 at 3:25am PST

Typical subway scene. Note that one (older) person actually had a book.

A photo posted by Peggy Osterkamp (@peggyoster) on Jan 30, 2016 at 3:29am PST

We couldn't not go back to the Morita shop again in the Omote Sando area to see if there were any more antique textiles that called to us. We both got more treasures for our collections. I'll unwrap them and take pictures before we go to bed tonight for tomorrow's posts.

A photo posted by Peggy Osterkamp (@peggyoster) on Jan 30, 2016 at 3:36am PST

The Omote Sando area is where all the big designers are as well as boutiques such as this one. Well dressed young people were shopping and eating at the trendy cafes. I liked the name of this shop.

A photo posted by Peggy Osterkamp (@peggyoster) on Jan 30, 2016 at 3:40am PST

This is a huge Apple Store in this trendy section.

A photo posted by Peggy Osterkamp (@peggyoster) on Jan 30, 2016 at 3:45am PST

Each cafe was unique.

A photo posted by Peggy Osterkamp (@peggyoster) on Jan 30, 2016 at 3:47am PST

This small kimono shop had kimonos as well as lots of fabrics from old kimonos as you can see in the next photo.

A photo posted by Peggy Osterkamp (@peggyoster) on Jan 30, 2016 at 3:50am PST

Inside the kimono shop in the Omote Sando area.

A photo posted by Peggy Osterkamp (@peggyoster) on Jan 30, 2016 at 3:52am PST

This looked like s good place for cake and coffee after our shopping at Morito.

A photo posted by Peggy Osterkamp (@peggyoster) on Jan 30, 2016 at 3:57am PST

We stopped here for our cake fix. There were lots and lots of places and they all seemed crowded at 5:00.

A photo posted by Peggy Osterkamp (@peggyoster) on Jan 30, 2016 at 3:59am PST

The "cake" actually a delicious mousse.

A photo posted by Peggy Osterkamp (@peggyoster) on Jan 30, 2016 at 4:02am PST

Our view while having the cake. All the designers were there with large places.

A photo posted by Peggy Osterkamp (@peggyoster) on Jan 30, 2016 at 4:04am PST

On our way to our hotel from the Shinjuku Station after another wonderful day. I decided today that being on vacation is really great.

A photo posted by Peggy Osterkamp (@peggyoster) on Jan 30, 2016 at 4:07am PST

Peggy’s Weaving Tour – Japan Day 4

January 30, 2016 by peggyosterkamp

Every day on my weaving tour of Japan and the Philippines I will repost all of my InstaGram posts here on my blog. I hope you enjoy my adventures.

Day 4. This is the view on the way back to our hotel from breakfast.

A photo posted by Peggy Osterkamp (@peggyoster) on Jan 29, 2016 at 5:13am PST

This is the view facing people going home in rush hour heading for the subway. This was at 9:00 pm and rush hour was still going strong.

A photo posted by Peggy Osterkamp (@peggyoster) on Jan 29, 2016 at 5:17am PST

Our first stop today was across the street from our hotel. It's a great costume museum with exhibits o. Two floors. This show had a lot of folk costumes as well as Japanese kimonos. Some of the children's' kimonos were with good luck amulets embroidered on the backs. The museum info follows.

A photo posted by Peggy Osterkamp (@peggyoster) on Jan 29, 2016 at 5:24am PST

The costume museum information. It is connected to a fashion school. It's been fun watching the young students passing by on their way to class when we go out for breakfast.

A photo posted by Peggy Osterkamp (@peggyoster) on Jan 29, 2016 at 5:29am PST

Our second stop tardy was this wonderful small museum. This is a place we visit on every trip.

A photo posted by Peggy Osterkamp (@peggyoster) on Jan 29, 2016 at 5:33am PST

These woolen textiles from India aren't widely known. They were mostly made in the homes. A few gorgeously fine ones were woven with hand spun pashmina fiber. It is from under the chins of goats and incredibly soft. The goats shed in the spring when the weather gets warm and the fiber is collected then traditionally.

A photo posted by Peggy Osterkamp (@peggyoster) on Jan 29, 2016 at 5:44am PST

What we call "paisley" we're woven with fine pashmina from this area of northern India. The shape we call paisley was and is called boteh. Later wHen they were in Scotland the people named it paisley after the shape of a river there. Actually the shape was man made relating to mangos and plants and vines.

A photo posted by Peggy Osterkamp (@peggyoster) on Jan 29, 2016 at 5:52am PST

The map shows the northern part of India where the woolen textiles were from– part of the Himalayas.

A photo posted by Peggy Osterkamp (@peggyoster) on Jan 29, 2016 at 5:59am PST

Peggy’s Weaving Tour – Japan Day 3

January 29, 2016 by peggyosterkamp

Every day on my weaving tour of Japan and the Philippines I will repost all of my InstaGram posts here on my blog. I hope you enjoy my adventures.

Day three: we went to the town of Kawagoe outside of Tokyo to go to a flea market. It is known for a street lined with traditional Japanese buildings. The flea market was so good that I forgot to take any pictures. I bought a few used kimonos for the silk lining fabric I liked.

A photo posted by Peggy Osterkamp (@peggyoster) on Jan 28, 2016 at 4:40am PST

We saw a shop that looked interesting so we went in a found the owner is a natural dyer. We spent a good while visiting with her

A photo posted by Peggy Osterkamp (@peggyoster) on Jan 28, 2016 at 4:48am PST

This is a scarf I bought made of cotton warp with bamboo weft. I got it because it was dyed with green persimmons. I've been experimenting with green persimmons but not having much success.

A photo posted by Peggy Osterkamp (@peggyoster) on Jan 28, 2016 at 4:51am PST

This is her in front of her shop. You can see what attracted us to go inside. I have her card but cannot read it. I'm sorry I didn't get her name. We we had so much to talk about I forgot to ask her for it.

A photo posted by Peggy Osterkamp (@peggyoster) on Jan 28, 2016 at 4:54am PST

We saw some snow around Kawagoe.

A photo posted by Peggy Osterkamp (@peggyoster) on Jan 28, 2016 at 4:56am PST

Outside one of the shops. I loved the traditional architected along this street. The rest of the town looked like any other town and we had a difficult time finding this one lovely street that tourists come for.

A photo posted by Peggy Osterkamp (@peggyoster) on Jan 28, 2016 at 5:00am PST

Another nice building.

A photo posted by Peggy Osterkamp (@peggyoster) on Jan 28, 2016 at 5:02am PST