Traditional Guatemalan fabric has been fashioned into handy yet beautiful travel accessories! These cosmetic pouches are made from textiles normally used for Mayan cortes, or skirts. Each is dyed a rich indigo color and has a plastic lined interior that you can easily wipe clean (in case of any on-the-go spills!). Ivory colored canvas and a fun pom-pom zipper complete the pouch’s look. Made by fair trade rural Guatemalan women, pouch is available in two different styles, Rectangle or Semi-Circle.
- Indigo stripe zipper pouch
- Made from canvas and woven corte fabric
- Choose from Rectangle or Semi-Circle
- Rectangle is 8.5 x 4.5 x 2.5 inches
- Semi-Circle is 8.5 x 6 x 2.5 inches
- Fair trade, made in Guatemala
design: A zippered pouch topped in indigo-striped Guatemalan corte fabric with an ivory cotton canvas base, brass-tone zipper, and a fabric pom-pom pull; offered in a rounded Semi-Circle silhouette or a boxier Rectangle silhouette.
size: Rectangle: 8.5 x 4.5 x 2.5 inches. Semi-Circle: 8.5 x 6 x 2.5 inches.
material: Woven cotton corte fabric, indigo-dyed, paired with ivory cotton canvas, a wipeable plastic lining, and a brass-tone zipper.
features: Wipe-clean plastic-lined interior, fabric pom-pom zipper pull, contrast ivory canvas base, brass-tone zipper, two silhouette options
care: Wipe the lined interior clean with a damp cloth and spot-clean the woven exterior; skip the washing machine.
disclaimer: Because the corte fabric is cut and sewn by hand, slight variations in stripe placement, stitching, and pom-pom shape are normal and part of each pouch's handmade character.
The Story
The dark blue fabric on these pouches comes from corte cloth, the woven textile traditionally used for the wraparound skirts worn by Maya women throughout Guatemala. Corte is typically sold by the yard from bolts of cloth, dyed and patterned before it's ever cut, so the same fabric that becomes a skirt length can also be repurposed into smaller accessories like these pouches.
Indigo has a long history as a dye in Guatemala, prized for the deep, saturated blue it produces on cotton and for how it deepens with wear and washing. The fine pinstripe pattern seen here is a common corte styling, with thin contrast threads woven through the indigo ground.
Because corte is everyday cloth, worn and rewoven across generations, using it for a zip pouch keeps the fabric in circulation rather than treating it as a keepsake to be set aside; the imperfections and irregular stripe spacing you may see are marks of cloth made by hand, not machine.
These pouches are sewn by rural Guatemalan women working with fair trade cooperatives, who cut lengths of indigo corte fabric and pair them with ivory canvas to build each pouch's curved or boxy shape. The seams are stitched, a plastic lining is set into the interior for easy wipe-downs, and a brass-tone zipper finished with a hand-tied fabric pom-pom is added last, work that turns yardage meant for a skirt into a compact, everyday accessory.
Craft & Materials
- Made In: Guatemala
- Craft Tradition: Corte cloth (traditional Guatemalan skirt fabric)
- Ideal For: Anyone who wants a well-made travel or cosmetics pouch with genuine Guatemalan textile character
- Wear It With: Tuck into a tote or carry-on to corral cosmetics, chargers, or small everyday essentials
- Purpose: Cosmetics case, toiletry bag, travel organizer, jewelry pouch, everyday catch-all
Questions & Answers
What's the difference between the Rectangle and Semi-Circle styles?
Both measure 8.5 inches wide and 2.5 inches deep; the Rectangle stands 4.5 inches tall with a boxier shape, while the Semi-Circle is 6 inches tall with a rounded top.
Can I wipe out the inside if something spills?
Yes, the interior is plastic-lined specifically so you can wipe it clean, handy for lotions, liquids, or makeup mishaps.
Is the fabric on every pouch identical?
No. Each pouch is cut from indigo-dyed corte fabric, a hand-loomed Guatemalan textile, so stripe spacing and shading vary slightly from piece to piece.
Who makes these pouches?
They're sewn by rural Guatemalan women through fair trade partnerships, using traditional corte fabric normally reserved for Maya skirts.
How should I care for it?
Wipe the lined interior with a damp cloth and spot-clean the woven exterior as needed; avoid machine washing to protect the indigo dye and stitching.
