Designing instruments

The size, form, structure and design of textiles are planned before the work of weaving begins. Specific instruments (tupu and waraña) assist in the standardisation of this process of planning.

Tupu

Instrument made out of a thread knotted at both ends which is used to measure the main dimensions (length and breadth) of the textile being woven on the loom and to measure the cloth when it is finished.

Model for weaving designs (modelo para figuras textiles)

Sample of cloth used to teach a specific figure or technique (salta waraña in Aymara). The figure above shows an archaeological example from the Late Republican Period held by the British Museum.

Colour combination model (modelo para combinación de colores)

Textile instrument used to plan the combination of colours in the composition of the textile (musa waraña in Aymara).