From the Islands of San Blas come these unique molas, hand sewn by the Kuna Indian Women.  The Kuna Indians inhabit the San Blas Islands off the North Coast of Panama.

MORE ABOUT MOLAS:

The Word Mola means "blouse" in Kuna, today it applies essentially to a part of Kuna Woman's traditional dress.  The Mola is made up of many pieces of fabric of various colours.  These pieces are cut out and sewn together using a combination method of applique and reverse applique, in other words placed on top of one another to create a colorful motifs, many patterns depict native flowers,  plants, animals, family life, cultural designs and themes from Kuna legends.  Geometric patterns similar to ancient body painting designs are the most traditional motifs.  The Kuna Indian Women incorporate molas into their clothing, usually with one mola serving as the front of the blouse, and another for the back.  Cotton is the preferred fabric, red, black and orange are used as dominant colors with white as a contrast. 

The Mola is an impressive and creative piece of work, and is the pride of Kuna women and they have been sewing these works for years.

Molas are undoubtedly the most famous art produced in Panama.  They required a lot of work and patience, and the result is a beautiful and fine piece of art.  Molas are appreciated around the world for their brilliant colors and authentic designs inspired in their culture, fauna, flora and their experience in life.  The style of molas varies from traditional, to primitive, to modern molas.  Today they are using molas on sandals, hand bags, purses, jeans, shirts, jackets, visors and many other kitchen items.  Molas panels can be framed, made into pillows, quilt, bedspread, placemats, wall hangers or used as decoration.

Panama's handicrafts are varied and often of excellent quality.  The Wounaan and Embera Indians in Darien Province produce some beautiful woven baskets.  These tribes also sell carvings of jungle wildlife from cocobolo, a handsome tropical hardwood, and tiny figurines from the ivory-colored tagua nut.

Why to buy a mola:  Because is a unique piece of art, different, ingenious, attractive.  This is an art of great beauty and mysterious origin.  A mola should be enjoyed as a paint of beautiful artwork.  In other words, your mola should be viewed like a paint at a proper distance of 3 to 8 feet.

BUYING A MOLA:

Molas symbolize the identity of the Kuna people to outsiders, and their colorful and elaborate designs often depict sea turtles, birds and fish.

The beauty of the Mola is in the eye of the beholder.  If you are in the market for a Mola, choose one you would like to see on your wall, as a place setting, as part of a dress; don't be swayed by what you think someone else might find attractive.

Regardless of the design, Kuna believe the very best molas should always have the following characteristics:

-Stitches closely match the color of the cloth they are set against.

-Stitches are very fine and neatly spaced.

-Stitches are pulled evenly and with enough tension to be barely visible.

-Curves are cut smoothly and the sewing follows the curves of the cut.

-Outline strips are uniform in width, with no frayed edges.

When you are buying Molas, it's a good idea to think about how you inteded to use them.  If you are thinking of making pillows out of them, consider the piece of furniture you'll place the pillows on.  On the other hand, if you see a Mola you really like, get it and worry about its use later.  You can always add a Mola on the back of a denim jacket.