Octavia Santiago is a Skagit County farmworker, a member of farmworker union Familias Unidas por la Justicia’s leadership committee, and an artisan. When she isn’t working the land, Octavia spends the off-season weaving beautifully intricate huipiles, a traditional style of garment from Oaxaca, Mexico.

Octavia learned the complex art of backstrap weaving at the age of 12 from her mother and grandmother, who were gifted the knowledge by ancestors from countless generations prior. The craft involves weaving long spools of colorful thread around five wooden spindles while it is held taut by a strap fastened around the weaver’s back. Each huipil is woven in three pieces, which are later sewn together. 

To complete a huipil, it typically takes Octavia between three to six months, and sometimes even longer for specialized patterns. Octavia’s specific style of huipil is rooted in the traditional designs of her family’s hometown, San Martin Intuyoso. She chooses the color of each thread and placement of each image with great intention, incorporating symbolism from the natural world. Octavia and her family members wear the huipiles she weaves for special holidays and events.

“Es muy importante seguir tejiendo porque no quiero perder la costumbre. Es como una herencia de las antiguas,” Octavia said. 

Translation: “It is very important to continue weaving because I don’t want to lose the custom. It is something I inherited from my ancestors,” Octavia said.

Octavia hopes to one day pass the tradition down to her 9 and 5-year-old daughters.