Inabel Weaving of Ilocos

 

    Inabel is one of the many pride of the Ilocos region in the Philippines. "Abel" is the Ilocano word for weaving, and "inabel" can be interpreted to mean the next type of woven fabric. In the world of weaving however, inabel is certainly used to refer to the fabric that clearly originated in Ilocano. We are proud to offer woven inabel from Laoag couriers in Ilocos.

     Inabel fabric is made of cotton and can be plain or patterned. Abel fabric is well known and loved for its softness, beautiful design, and strength.

   Ilocos weavers use hardwood pedal looms, using a variety of design techniques. The pattern of binakul, a dizzying thread, is intended to harm and disturb evil spirits, protecting the wearer. Other patterns include the multi-heddle design technique, the selected or brocade weave, the suk-suk or discontinuous supplementary weft approach, and the tie-dye tie technique. Each province has its own unique design style. Like other forms of handicrafts in the country, the inabel creation process is complex and labor intensive. Popular patterns include paws, fans, stars, and cat windows.

   The traditional process of weaving abel fabric begins with the preparation of cotton, from picking cotton balls, removing seeds, beating or beating, spinning with a spindle, and spinning cotton yarn on skeiner. The yarn is then brushed to make it shiny and durable before it is wound on a bamboo wire. When the yarn is ready, it is time to prepare the loom.

  The weaver winds the spool thread on the warping reel. The warp beam was wounded in the warp beam rod. Next comes the heddling, in which the threaded warp is inserted into the eye of the heddle using a weave hook. After that, the weaver inserts the thread warp yarn through the reed holes and "dress" the fabric by tying the heddles to the back of the beater. Only after the agabel begins, or weaving.

 

    Plain weaves are the most commonly made Inabel, and they are used for everything from hand towels and placemats to blankets and clothing materials. In Ilocos, Inabel is not uncommon as a material for everyday household items such as curtains, tablecloths, bath towels, table runners, bed linen, bags, and even mosquito nets.