Two Looms, Three Generations
In Doña Gloria Xochitemol's house, the workshop of Crescencio Tlilayatzi Xochitemol thrives. It is the heart of the family, where the work of the grandmother, the son, and the grandchildren comes to life.
Retrato del artesano Cresencio Tlilayatzi riendo mientras trabaja (2025-10-04) by Mario Vázquez SosaMinistry of Culture of the Government of Mexico
Doña Gloria Xichipelma's house
Crescencio Tlilayatzi Xochitemol's workshop is located at his mother Gloria Xochitemol's house in Santa María Tlacatecpac. It is an intimate space that comes to life with two looms, colored threads, and the daily exchanges of three generations.
Retrato de Gloria Xochitemol Peña, madre del artesano Cresencio Tlilayatzi (2025-10-04) by Mario Vázquez SosaMinistry of Culture of the Government of Mexico
67 years weaving tradition
"It's not just from recently, it's from much earlier," explains Gloria Xochitemol, 85. She has been weaving on hand and backstrap looms since she was 18, a skill she learned as a child, when her grandparents worked with ixtle and mastered the fibers.
El artesano Cresencio Tlilayatzi estira hilos en el Taller Tlilayatzi (2025-10-04) by Mario Vázquez SosaMinistry of Culture of the Government of Mexico
A mother who taught and now observes
Gloria Xochitemol taught Crescencio Tlilayatzi Xochitemol the basics of weaving. "He watched me do it and learned ," she recalls. Now she sees him innovating, creating patterns she never imagined. "I'm proud of how my son works."
Retrato del artesano Cresencio Tlilayatzi envolviendo hilo (2025-10-04) by Mario Vázquez SosaMinistry of Culture of the Government of Mexico
The material
When Crescencio wanted to work with ixtle, he didn't know how. Gloria taught him the technique of his grandparents: buy ixtle, knot it, tie it into little balls, put it on bobbins, mount it on a loom. Knowledge from four generations flowing in a single moment.
Ixtle: Natural fiber extracted from the maguey plant, traditionally used for weaving. It is hard to work with and requires specific knowledge from previous generations.
El artesano Cresencio Tlilayatzi coloca una varilla en el muro del Taller Tlilayatzi (2025-10-04) by Mario Vázquez SosaMinistry of Culture of the Government of Mexico
Proud
Gloria Xichipelma admits that her son has surpassed her: "Now he has even surpassed me, he has already beaten me." She showed him the basics so he could fly higher. Crescencio innovates on the foundations she gave him.
Retrato de Moisés Tlilayatzi Mendes en el Taller Tlilayatzi (2025-10-04) by Mario Vázquez SosaMinistry of Culture of the Government of Mexico
Continuity
Moisés Tlilayatzi Méndez, Crescencio's nephew, learns jaspeado and wooden loom weaving. "For me, weaving is culture, a tradition that comes from our ancestors," he says. He wants to be a recognized craftsman, to continue the family lineage of weavers.
Retrato del artesano Cresencio Tlilayatzi con uno de sus jaspeados puestos (2025-10-04) by Mario Vázquez SosaMinistry of Culture of the Government of Mexico
The dynamics of the family workshop
After her chores, Gloria weaves. Crescencio uses the jaspe technique and designs. Moisés learns at the loom. Yoselin, the youngest in the family at just 5 years old, observes the colors. Everyone has their role, all supported by two looms. The house breathes jaspeado, smells of dye, and sounds like pedals.
Retrato del artesano Cresencio Tlilayatzi en su telar en el Taller Tlilayatzi (2025-10-04) by Mario Vázquez SosaMinistry of Culture of the Government of Mexico
A workshop pulsing towards the future
Gloria knits at 85, Crescencio innovates at 40, Moisés learns in his 20s, Yoselin dreams at 5. Four generations in a workshop with two looms. Jaspeado is not dying: it is breathing, growing, and conquering the world from Doña Gloria's house.
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