La Colcha: Weaving history with present day HEART

By HEART of Saguache.

The San Luis Valley Colcha Embroidery project recently hosted a free workshop at the Saguache County Museum in early June. The workshop was at capacity, with most of the attendees being residents of Saguache County. 

Participants delved into the history of colcha embroidery in the San Luis Valley, learned the traditional colcha stitch, and examined artwork examples and a library of publications on the topic. Afterwards, everyone picnicked in the front of the museum. 

HEART thanked its dedicated instructors from San Luis and Monte Vista, who traveled to Saguache to lead the workshop: Maria Eufemia Barela, Donna Madrid Hernandez, Aurora Martinez, and Julia Mondragon. HEART also offered a special thanks to its local colcha embroidery experts Patsy Garcia and Delores Worley, who provided invaluable assistance and the Saguache County Museum for hosting the event. Patsy and Delores were part of the original La Costura de Saguache group of stitchers in the 1970s. 

This event was made possible through a partnership between the HEART of Saguache, The Range, the Saguache County Museum, and the Colorado Creative Industries’ Folk and Traditional Arts Project Grant. We look forward to continuing the workshops and supporting a stitching group for Saguache.