Handmade Purse
Mola Artwork Used for Handmade Purses and Other Clothing
The mola is a piece of artwork crafted by the Kunas. The Kunas are a group of indigenous Indians living in Panama. The molas originated from a custom of painting geometric patterns on their bodies. After some time the women started sewing these designs on cloth panels. The molas were eventually sewn on dresses and blouses. The molas contain geometric patterns or images of animals. They are always very colorful. The technique used to sew these beautiful patterns is called “reverse applique technique.” To accomplish this technique the women use several layers of fabric of different colors. They cut away whatever layers necessary to reveal whatever color desired. The extra material is cut away and the layers are sewed together. As the complexity of the design increases the amount of work involved increases dramatically.
The Kuna women begin making these molas when they reach the age of puberty. They become very skilled at this technique after years of sewing these pieces of artwork. Two to seven layers of cloth are used to make each mola. The value of a mola increases with the increasing amount of layers of cloth. The complexity of the design and the invisibility of the stitching also influences the value of the mola.
Some of the molas for sale were part of a traditional Kuna dress or blouse. When the dress is no longer worn or the owner is bored with the design, the dress is disassembled and the mola is sold. When all molas are offered for sale they have already been washed several times, so it is safe to wash by hand. The mola is very well made and very durable. The molas are incorporated into clothing, wall hangings, pillows, purses, and some people incorporate these designs into quilting projects.
Every mola produced is a one of a kind article. It is a unique piece of artwork. A mola can take up to 6 months to complete, and it is a personal expression of the artist making it. The designs vary from detail geometric designs to beautiful floral designs to designs incorporating animals such as birds or other jungle animals. Often a particular mola is an expression of an event in a person’s life.
Molas can be found in Panama and the Northwestern coast of Colombia where Panama and Colombia connect. The Colombians utilize these molas to produce many things. One popular article to make with a mola is a purse. The molas are sewn on to a cloth purse and even on suede purses. They demand some very high prices even in Colombia. Not many of these products make their way out of Colombia. They are very sought after. They can be found in some the upscale shops in Cali, Bogotá, and Medellin. By the time the mola has been used to produce a product to sell, the end product has taken a large amount of time and talent to produce. There are many people who just collect the mola panels. After all they are very beautiful and each is a unique, one of a kind piece of artwork that will give the owner a lifetime of pleasure.
To view a few examples of some mola purses you can visit the following site:
http://www.imports-oneofakind.com
About the Author
Craig Gibson received a BS in Packaging Engineering from Michigan State University and he began his masters program at MSU. Later he attended Harvard University in Special Studies. Now he is in the inport export business. He travels Central and South America looking for unique products to import to the United States.
How to Sew Handmade Purses : How to Pick a Handmade Purse Style
Handmade Purse
|
|
10PC CHINESE HANDMADE SILK COIN Purses /Bags /WalletS $28.00 |
|
|
Handmade Tote Bag Purse Butterfly $42.99 |
|
|
Handmade Tote Bag Purse Disney Tinkerbell $42.99 |
|
|
Super Girl Bat girl comic marvel dc handmade Fabric coin/change purse pouch $2.99 |
|
|
New National air handmade fabric red change wallet//coin bag/purse for MP3 $2.48 |
|
|
Handmade My Little Pony Fabric coin/change purse 3 $2.99 |
|
|
Leather Purse Black Brown Handmade from Peru Tooling $49.90 |
|
|
Leather Purse Dark Brown and Deep Red Handmade from Peru Tooling Flowers $39.90 |
|
|
Wholesale10PC VOGUE&NOVELTY HANDMADE SILK Purses/Wallet $24.00 |
|
|
NICE CUTE THAI HANDMADE STYLE ELEPHANT COTTON COIN PURSE # FREE SHIPPING $1.65 |
|
|
TESAGE Yukiko Sato New York D1 KIKU Gardens, Drawstring Purse Insert Organizer, Reusable Lunch Bag (Japanese Floral) $24.00 Drawstring Purse Organizer / Purse Insert, Style 1Size: 8 1/2″ x 10″ (21.59 x 15.40 cm), 4″ (10.16 cm) high front pockets*masuarement may a little change depends on fabric thicknessOrganize in your purse and transport into other purse without forgetting anything when you change.See all D1 purse insertSee bigger size (12 x 12 inc., 30 cm x 30 cm): enter “D2″ in search box or See all D2 purse insert… |
|
|
Too Many Purses Magnet $6.50 Designed for all women. Makes a great little gift any time of year…. |
|
|
TESAGE Yukiko Sato New York D2 KIKU Gardens, Drawstring Purse Insert Organizer, Reusable Lunch Bag (Japanese Floral) $28.00 Drawstring Purse Organizer / Purse Insert, Style 2Size: 12″ x 12″ (30.48 x 30.48 cm), and 6″(15.24 cm) deep front pocket*masuarement may a little change depends on fabric thicknessOrganize in your purse and transport into other purse without forgetting anything when you change.See all fabric choices: enter “D2″ in search box or See all D2 purse insertSee smaller size (8 1/2″ x 10″ inc. (21.59 x 15… |
|
|
Once In A Blue Moon: The Lost Album $13.95 If Once In A Blue Moon hasn’t exactly been the Holy Grail for the Rod Stewart faithful, it’s only because we didn’t know what we were missing – until now. This unqiue collection of covers recorded in the summer 1992 is Maestro Stewart at his interpretive best – that magnificent voice yearning, pleading, and shouting in all its gravelly glory while serving as a lethal instrument for the legendary p… |
|
|
Swissco Tortoise Purse Comb Wide Tooth $7.95 Approximately 6 inches long…. |
|
|
Swissco Tortoise Purse/Perm Comb $5.50 Each comb undergoes a 12-step process to ensure you the finest quality.Individually cut from sheets, each comb is shaped, polished and shine with pumice to ensure the smoothest finish.Whether you prefer a comb with fine, medium or wide teeth, there is a wide selection for all hair types.swisscollc.comAll Swissco Tortoise Style Combs are made by hand in Switzerland…. |
|
|
Khaki Linen Hand Made Corsage Fabric Flower Hat Hair Clip & Pin Brooch F11032 $5.99 This beautiful flower is backed with a silver-tone hair clip and pin for easy and secure all-day wear. It can be worn in your hair, on your dresses, on your hats or you can even pin them on your handbag and purse. All flower pins are hand made and unique. So it is possible that each flower’s color, pattern and size may be a little different than others…. |
|
|
Collectible Leather Crafts,Leather Arts-Multi Function Full Grain Cowhide Leather Hand-Made Purse Wallet w/ Gorgeous Owl Design ,Elegant Hand-Held Zipper Purse Plus Key Holder Function & Leather Strap- ,Durable Grain Cowhide Leather,Convenient Handy Size at 4.5 Wide x 3.5 High, Fashion & Classical Style ,Beautiful and Perfect for Birthday Gift ,Manufacturer Direct 100% Satisfaction Guaranteed ! $19.95 Collectable Leather Crafts,Leather Arts-Multi Function Full Grain Cowhide Leather Hand-Made Purse Wallet w/ Gorgeous Owl Design ,Elegant Hand-Held Zipper Purse Plus Key Holder Function & Leather Strap- ,Durable Grain Cowhide Leather,Convenient Handy Size at 4.5″ Wide x 3.5″ High, Fashion & Classical Style ,Beautiful and Perfect for Birthday Gift ,Manufacturer Direct 100% Satisfaction Guaranteed !… |
|
|
Hobo Bohemian Hippie Om Sign Shoulder Sling Cross Body Heavy Duty Inside Pocket Monk Bag Handmade Purse Nepal By Shangrila Nook $17.99 100 % Handmade Cotton shoulder bag made by skilled Nepalese people to give you a unique look. Features: Wide shoulder strap lessens the pressure on your shoulder and makes it easy to carry. Zipper on top for security of your personal belongings. Inside pocket for sort and separation and so on. Perfect for school, daily outdoor activities like carrying books, laptops, personal belongings, grocer… |
|
|
D211C brown Fully Handmade Beaded Evening handbag/purse wedding bag $26.99 1.Fully Handmade Beaded Evening handbag/purse wedding bag 2. fabric+ beads 3. size:7.5″x1.5″x4.1″ 4. 48″ removebale metal chain as well as a short chain 5.color: brown… |
Handmade Purse
Related posts:
Tags: bags, crafts, design, handmade purse blog, handmade purse ideas, handmade purses, handmade purses and totes, handmade purses patterns, sewing, shopping