Brazil, Central Veredas, Weaving

Central Veredas is a cooperative of artisans in Minas Gerais, Brazil whose main activities are spinning, weaving and embroidery, in which they produce blankets, scarves, cushion covers, and embroidered buriti boxes. The older women are the bearers of the spinning and weaving work, while younger women handle the embroidery and the husbands of the artisans plant organic cotton. Weaving is done using natural dyes on wooden handlooms with four pedals, a process which was started by their ancestors out of necessity. The embroideries are always inspired by the regional fauna and flora. Illustration contests are often held in rural public schools in the surrounding area, selecting designs of students onto embroider their products.

In the past, cotton was planted in Minas Gerias, but women grew older and began to have difficulties working in the fields. A year ago, they started to grow cotton with the encouragement of the Laudes Foundation. They are conducting tests with this first harvest, and continue to use certified organic cotton from Paraíba. Their future goals are to use only locally grown cotton. 

To further follow the story of Central Veredas, please find them on social media here.