howeenterprise.com
Monday, February 20, 2017
Page #9
Learn about antiques and collectibles with Dr. Georgia Caraway edges of each layer are folded under and carefully stitched until the entire design is formed. Embroidery stitches may then be added to complete the design.
and antique shops—Howe Mercantile, Texas Home Emporium, and Stark Farms Gifts. SHOP LOCAL. We can show you Howe!
Value is determined by small, MARK YOUR CALENDAR: even, almost invisible hand stitches; bold contrasting colors; and balance and harmony in form and shape. Hand stitching is a key element. Hurried workmanship, machine sewing, the application of rick-rack, Japanese printed fabrics with mola designs, and copies flooding the market made by others than the Kuna Indians have made this a difficult textile art upon which to place a value. Generally in the marketplace, depending on size and design, molas sell for between $10 and $100. Due to the availability of poor quality molas, the market for “old” (1950s, 1960s, and earlier) hand Dr. Georgia Caraway stitched molas is limited. The market for selling these pieces is the collector interested in Molas, the bright hand sewn blouse traditional textile art forms of high panels of Kuna (Cuna) Indian quality and design. women, are recognized as one of the finest examples of indigenous I acquired several molas from a textile art forms produced today. friend who in the 1950s visited The descendants of the preSan Blas Island and bought pieces Columbian Kuna (meaning “sons of their artwork. I framed four of of god”) are crowded into the them and had beautifully colored northeast of Columbia and the San pillows made from two others. Blas Islands off the Caribbean These vintage native artworks Coast of Panama. Although make brilliant additions to home explorers as early as the 1500s décor. described Kuna women as “well dressed in figured cotton mola (cloth),” it was in the 1800s that Dr. Georgia Caraway, former the cotton blouse with two panels director of the Denton County became known as a mola. In the Museums for 14 years, and her 1950s and 1960s tourists bought friends opened the Howe the decorative panels separately Mercantile at 107 East Haning. rather than as whole blouses and Store hours are Thursday through the name mola became attached to Saturday noon until 8 p.m. She has these panels also. written five Denton history books. Her latest, North Texas State Fair The sewing technique used in and Rodeo, is available at Howe creating molas is often referred to Mercantile. She hopes her next as reverse applique. From 2 to 7 book will be the history of Howe. layers of cotton cloth of contrasting If anyone has photos that she can colors are basted together. Cutting copy, please bring them to Howe thin channels through the top layers Mercantile. of cloth to reveal the contrasting colors below create the design. The Downtown Howe has three gift
April 8 is the date for the Annual BBQ and Auction for the Save the Church restoration project. If you wish to donate to the auction, please bring your item(s) to Howe Mercantile or to 101 East Haning (Howe Chamber office).
Mola
