Impact of my Mayan handwoven product purchase

At Trama Textiles, every product tells a story of tradition, collaboration, and dignity. But have you ever wondered how each piece is made;  and what your purchase really supports?

We’d love to walk you through our process, so you understand exactly where your money goes and how it empowers the women behind the loom.

It All Starts With the Weavers

Our cooperative is made up of over 150 Maya women across more than a dozen rural communities in Guatemala. Each weaving group receives requests based on the demand we receive. 

The women in each group,  come together to decide how they’ll divide the work among themselves. This process is deeply rooted in mutual respect, traditional decision-making, and community consensus.

They Set Their Own Prices

Once the group finishes their assigned products, their representative travels to our storefront in Quetzaltenango. Here, they tell us the price they believe is fair for their work. And here’s what’s important:

 We honor their price, no questions asked.

Trama was founded to ensure fair wages and autonomy for Maya women. That means we never negotiate them down or impose external pricing.

After we receive the woven pieces, each item goes into what we call the “confection phase” — where it’s sewn, lined, or finished, depending on the product. This step has its own set of costs: zippers, linings, tailoring labor, and more.

Through the price set,  we’re ensuring every stage of production is fairly compensated.

Where Does the Rest of the Money Go?

Once we pay the weavers and cover tailoring costs, any remaining income is reinvested back into the cooperative. That means:

Buying high-quality raw materials

Supporting community needs

Managing shipping and logistics

Growing our impact sustainably

This money does not go to outside shareholders. It stays in the cooperative, managed transparently, and helps us remain self-sustaining.

Why This Matters

In a global textile industry that often underpays and undervalues artisans, Trama Textiles stands for something different. We don’t mass-produce. We don’t exploit. We work hand-in-hand with the women who keep Maya weaving traditions alive;  with dignity, autonomy, and tradition

Be Part of the Story

Every purchase you make supports a cycle of empowerment and creativity. You're not just buying a cushion or a bag — you're making it possible for women in rural Guatemala to provide for their families, preserve their culture, and build a better future.

Visit our local store!

You can find us at 10-56, 3a Calle, Zona 1, Quetzaltenango, Guatemala.

Shop our products — and take home something truly meaningful.