About

Eco-friendly, fair trade fashion accessories
& home décor
from rural women in Thailand & Laos

Specializing in organic Thai silk & organic Lao silk

Like TAMMACHAT on Facebook Follow TAMMACHAT on Flickr Watch TAMMACHAT on YouTube


The Textile & Fiber Art List - Member    

Our Story


We love textiles and have been involved with threads, craft and empowering women for decades. Since 2007, we have worked with more than a dozen women's weaving groups in rural Thailand and Laos, bringing thousands of their beautiful, handwoven, naturally dyed, artisanal textiles to Canada and beyond. This has put money directly into women's hands -- our goal from the start.

Fair Trade


Our social enterprise's business practices are based on the 10 Principles of Fair Trade, as defined by the World Fair Trade Organization. We believe that people can support human rights, sustainable community development and the environment through the purchases we make. We believe that most people would do just that if they:
  • understood the power of their choices as consumers, and
  • had access to good quality, fairly traded and environmentally friendly products.

Encouraging conscious consumerism and ethical shopping

As importers of fairly traded textiles, our work includes educating consumers about the artisans' culture and living conditions, as well as the hidden costs of globalized "bargains" in today’s marketplace. We invite people to ask who makes the products they buy and under what conditions.
What fair trade means:
  • buying directly at a fair price from producer co-ops or other groups that promote community development and environmental sustainability
  • making long-term commitment to the artisan groups with advance payments, forward orders or credit assistance, and relationship building.

Safe, healthy and sustainable practices

Using fuel-efficient stoves that vent above the dyers helps the environment as well as the women's health
Fair trade practices actively encourage a safe and healthy work environment. They also encourage the sustainable use of local resources. This gives communities additional incentive to preserve their environments for future generations.