50% Wild Eri Silk 50% Cotton. 36” x 87”
THE NATURAL DYE COLLECTION
BHUJODI SHAWLS
Something was going on with the weavers. When we arrived, as we do every year to visit our friends in the Vankar community—they could barely contain their excitement. We all share a love of handloom, skill, and natural dyes. We push each other to see what can be done.
This year, what could be done was an entire collection of shawls dyed naturally and woven from new yarns that the Vankars themselves had developed. We selected some. It wasn't enough. They were so beautiful, it was heartbreaking to leave any behind. We went a bit crazy, as you do when you have a handmade cloth in your hands that sings. We brought quite a few back.
Now they have arrived and we are just as excited to show them to you as the weavers were to show them to us.
80% Cotton, 20% Wild Eri Silk — 34” x 86”
50% Wild Eri Silk 50% Cotton — 36” x 87”
50% Wild Eri Silk 50% Cotton — 16” x 73”
50% Wild Tussar Silk, 50% Cotton — 24” x 80”
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Maiwa shawls and scarves are also available at Maiwa on Granville Island
7 days a week between 10am and 7pm
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MEET THE ARTISANS
BHUJODI WEAVERS
Meet the six brothers of the Vankar family All have received higher education and all have dedicated themselves to the family business of weaving. All six sons were trained to be master weavers by their father — who is himself a national award winner. Shamji (at the spinning wheel) and Dinesh (at the loom) have spearheaded technical innovations in blending fibres and natural dye techniques. Hard work, a love of handloom and a dedication to tradition has made them one of the most successful artisan families in Kachchh.
Below right, Dinesh works with Rabari women on spinning the local Deshi (country) wool. The Vankar and Rabari communities have worked together for generations to produce the shawls traditionally worn by Rabari men and women. Below left, Shamji prepares a warp using the impressive traditional starching brush.
A masterpiece woven by Shamji and his family was on the cover of this year's Maiwa School of Textiles Course Calendar. This year Shamji travels to Canada to teach with us. As of this posting there are still some spaces in his workshop and lecture/event.
A Bhujodi weaving masterpiece. Meet Shamji in person at the events listed above.
