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You can make your own Mexican-style huipil with our easy-to-use sewing pattern and step-by-step instructions, designed exclusively for us by Alice & Co Patterns. The joy of this design is that you add your embellishment whilst the fabric is still flat, making it easy to sew.
Download your chosen pattern (you can choose a square or scoop neck design), print it off at home, and follow the illustrated instructions:
We'd love to see your creations! Share your photos with us on social media using the hashtag: #InspiredbyFrida
Frida Kahlo wore huipiles in a variety of lengths, fabrics and designs. Many of her huipiles are made of commercially-produced cloth, embellished with geometric designs, chain-stitched on a sewing machine, or appliquéd ribbons. Some are hand-embroidered. Our Frida Huipil instructions include tips and ideas for decorating your huipil using shop-bought ribbons, which can be stitched on to the fabric in a square border design. You can experiment with different fabrics, colours and decorative stitches.
You could even try adding an embroidered design. Our textile collection includes a rare and interesting group of embroidered huipiles made over a century ago in the state of Oaxaca in southern Mexico. One was intricately worked with stylised bird and flower designs in red cotton. Another was made from a single width of bought cotton cloth and embroidered with red and blue cotton thread, and a minuscule amount of wool, to depict flowers, birds and a large stag.
Our collection includes a longer style of huipil; instead of embroidery it features brocaded bands, worked with red and blue cotton, of zigzags, chevrons and lozenges. Another striking example from our collection features a woven 'double-headed eagle' motif, with brocading and cross-stitch decorations.
Discover more Mexican embroidery and traditional Mexican dress in our collections.
