Sari Weaving Techniques on Handloom

Unnati Silks have uploaded some stunning videos depicting the handloom weaving techniques in Saris. The same came be viewed here.

The following is just one of the videos showing weaving of Kanchipuram Sari.



The following Techniques of Sari Weaving are covered:

1. Kanchipuram
2. Pochampalli
3. Siddipet
4. Gadwal
5. Narayanpet
6. Ellampillai
7. Managalgiri
8. Bannerugatta
9. Dharmavaram
10. Uppada
11. Venkatgiri
12. Maheshwar
13. Rasipuram
14. Kaithoon Kota
15. Chirala
16. Kondalmpatti
17. Arni
18. Varanasi

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Process of Batik

The word batik has been derived from the word "Ambatik" which translates as "Cloth with little dots".

An amazing video has been uploaded by Moda to depict the process of Batik as practiced in South Asian country. The process is painstakingly long and involves several processes of dyeing, applying wax, washing and drying. Briefly the process involves the following stages:

1. First of all the fabric is dyed with base color.

2. Then base color combination is applied on the fabric with the help of sponge.

3. Then the fabric is dried in the sunshine.

4. Soda is sprinkled on the fabric while it is drying to get the salt effect.

5. The fabric is then covered with wax using copper stamps on wooden blocks.

6. Then the first color combination is removed from the fabric by dipping it into a solution.

7. The fabric is then made wet and put onto a flat surface.

8. Second color combination is then prepared and applied on the fabric with the help of a sponge, the fabric is crinkled carefully before this application.

9. Again the fabric is kept for drying and soda is sprinkled on it to get the salt effect.

10. Then it is dried in the sunshine by hanging.

11. The fabric is then dyed in water glass ( A solution of sodium or potassium silicate, it solidifies on exposure to air and is used to make silica gel). Until it is applied the batik colors are water soluble. Water glass fixes all the colors.

12. Then it is washed with water twice.

13. Then it is subjected to boiling to remove the wax that covered the first color combination.

14. Then it is washed with water and dried to get the final finished fabric.

You can watch the video here:


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Cost of Fashion

Just stumbled upon a few reports on the condition of women working in textile mills in South India. The reports called "Maid in India" and "Captured by Cotton" depict vividly the plight of women enrolled under the Sumangali Schemes of various Textile Mills.

The reports go to show the low cost fashion available in high streets which can be due to the conditions under which workers work in textile and garment factories.

There is another report depicting the prevalence of child labour in the sequin units in Tuglakabad and Sangam Vihar district of Delhi and how the laws are flouted by bribing off the officials.

Some eye-opening articles, I must say.

Here are the links:

1. Maid in India
2. Captured by Cotton 
3. Slavery on the High Streets

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Cotton Price Trends in India

Indian Textile Mills are ramping up imports of cotton

Source: seedrack.com via Melyssa on Pinterest

Mills in India, the world's second biggest cotton producer have already imported 500,000 bales and have signed contracts for around 1 million bales at 75-80 cents per lb, compared with the local price of about 88 cents. This can be attributed to the following two reasons. 

a. Tight Domestic Supplies of Cotton 

- Poor rainfall in top producing Gujarat State. Saurashtra and Kutch regions of Gujarat, the country’s largest producer, have received 72% less than the usual rainfall by this time

- A rally in Soyabean prices is prompting some farmers to ditch cotton for Soyabean.

- Record export of good quality cotton earlier this year, with lower quality cotton left this year. 

- Harvesting is getting delayed because of late arrival of Monsoon. If it gets delayed beyond Sep, the domestic cotton prices will sky rocket. 

b. Lower Prices Abroad

- Domestic cotton prices are ruling around 88 cents per pound, freight on board, around 14% higher than the African fibre and 10% than the crop in the US, the world’s largest cotton exporter

Source 1

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