Avarca Tela de Llenguës

History of Tela de Llenguës

The Tela de Llengües originates in Majorca, where it has become over the centuries a symbol of the local textile heritage.
This fabric is the result of an ancestral dyeing technique called ikat, introduced to Majorca between the 13th and 18th centuries via trade routes linking Asia, the Middle East and the Mediterranean.
Local artisans adapted it with their own expertise, giving birth to a unique and timeless aesthetic.
Long used in the interior decoration of Majorcan houses (curtains, tablecloths, cushions), Tela de Llengües embodies the alliance between tradition and refinement, and continues today to inspire contemporary crafts and fashion, like our Avarcas Tela sandals!

Manufacturing method

The traditional Ikat method involves dyeing the warp and weft threads before weaving, binding them with waterproof ties to prevent the dye from penetrating certain parts of the yarn. This process creates the characteristic blurred patterns of Majorcan textiles, resembling flames or tongues—hence the name “llenguës”—which give each piece a unique appearance. Once the threads are dyed, they are carefully arranged on the loom to form the final design. This work demands precision, patience, and great skill, as the result depends as much on the dyeing as on the weaving. Entirely handmade in only three traditional workshops in Majorca—Teixits Riera, Teixits Vicens, and Bujosa Textil—each piece tells a story of tradition, expertise, and Mediterranean cultural identity.