by skilled women artisans in villages in Thailand and Laos
on traditional floor or backstrap looms
no electricity needed
zero carbon footprint
NATURAL FIBRES
small scale production of hand-reeled, organic silks
handspun, organic cottons (whenever available) grown from heritage varieties of cotton
organic techniques protect the local environment and the artisans' health
SUSTAINABLE DYES.
coloured with natural materials -- barks, berries, leaves, flowers, insect resin, even mud
dyestuffs sustainably gathered in the wild or purpose grown
PRECIOUS.
available in limited editions
only 10-15 scarves or table cloths can be handwoven at a time
only 40 metres of fabric can be woven at a time
HEIRLOOMS.
handcrafted textiles reflectcultural traditions passed from mothers to daughters -- traditions that are now in danger of being lost
reflect the values of "slow fashion" to be enjoyed for years
Weaving shuttles from Thailand
These
handcarved boat shuttles, made from recycled rosewood, are handcarved
in Northeast Thailand. Wildly popular with TAMMACHAT customers, these
18 inch traditional shuttles are a joy to use. Contact us for ordering details.
Care of silks and fine cottons
We do not recommend dry cleaning. To hand wash:
SOAP: Dissolve baby shampoo (for silks) or mild soap (for cottons) in
lukewarm water. Soak garment briefly. Work soap through gently; do not
wring.
RINSE: Rinse
until rinse water remains clear. Rinse again with a quarter cup of white
vinegar added to the rinse water to neutralize any remaining soap and
to restore the fabric’s natural sheen. Rinse once again in clear, cool
water to remove the smell of vinegar.
ROLL: Roll in a towel to absorb excess moisture.
DRY: Dry flat on a towel or hang on a padded hanger. Do not dry in sun or direct heat.
IRON: Iron while still slightly damp, at a low-medium temperature for silk, or medium-high for cotton.
If fabric is completely dry, it is important to re-dampen it before ironing.