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the MAIWA JOURNAL


BOOK & TOTE BAG


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See Textiles of the Banjara Book Here



TEXTILES OF THE BANJARA BOOK
Cloth and Culture of a Wandering Tribe

Charllotte Kwon and Tim McLaughlin
Foreward by Rosemary Crill

The Banjara,­ an ethnic group composed of semi-nomadic tribes found throughout the Indian subcontinent, are renowned for their highly colorful textiles. Embellished with mirrors, shells, and intricate embroidery, Banjara work displays a surprisingly modern aesthetic. Created to showcase embroidery skill, protect the owner from harm, and channel auspicious powers, the Banjara technique is unique in India and is a celebration of the strength of the women who practice it. This is the first book devoted to the traditional clothing and embroidery of the Banjara, illuminating their long history and investigating their links with the European Roma.



Maiwa first began making plans to work with Banjara embroiderers in 2001. This book is the result of years of research and several hundred miles of trips to meet with different groups. This book became possible due to a close collaboration between authors Charllotte Kwon and Tim McLaughlin and the founders of Surya's Garden: Laxmi Naik and her late husband Jan Duclos. Together it was hoped that this book would be an enduring record of an incredibly strong and vibrant cultural tradition.

Flip Through the Book Here



See all Natural and Black Tote Bags Here





 

THE BANJARA

Banjara stitchwork displays a surprisingly modern aesthetic. The bold geometric designs are tightly embroidered in a style that completely covers the fabric. Designs play and break with symmetries to guide auspicious forces. The stitches are deftly executed and are designed to outlast the fabric they adorn.


To our U.S. customers – don't forget that the exchange rate works in your favour, it's like an extra discount.

Tuesday, September 29, 2020 No comments



STITCH — EMBROIDER — MEND
THE THREADS THAT CONNECT US

The most simple of things — a thread — makes everything possible. Mend what has been torn and in the process you make it a bit better, you have added a little of yourself into the cloth. Embellish with a stitch that tells who you are, how you care, and what you can do.


See Our Embroidery & Mending Supplies

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Shown top: Detail of a Saami quilt from Pakistan showing the playful creativity of the stitch. Below: the same Saami quilt, a length of Banjara quilting and two pieces of remade Japanese indigo quilting. 

Saami quilts are a fine example of artisan embroidery. We have a few for sale online.

Shown: Sashiko Handy Pocket Guide, Japanese Sashiko Thread

Shown: Darning Egg, Long Darners Needles, Darning Mushroom


Shown: Embroidery Hoops, Tulip Needles, Sashiko Gold Eye Needles

Shown:Waxed Linen

Shown: Rainbow Unicorn Scissors, Soie d'Alger Silk Thread




See All of Our Embroidery & Mending Books

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Shown: Koel Magazine

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Shown: Kachcch Cushion Cover - Node Desert Sun


See All Embroidered Cushion Covers

See All of Our Artisan Embroidery




Shown: Samples made by Maiwa Instructor Bonnie Adie for her Art of Embroidery workshop.


Shown: Mending examples.


To our U.S. customers – don't forget that the exchange rate works in your favour, it's like an extra discount.


















 

Thursday, September 24, 2020 No comments



SCARVES & SHAWLS


The name “Bandhani” derives from the Sanskrit term meaning “to tie.” Tied resist is a traditional technique that has been practiced in India for centuries.
Each dot is the result of creating a tiny peak in the cloth and then tightly wrapping thread around the peak to resist the dye. Artisans work with precision as they slowly pattern the entire cloth - a lengthy process with an exquisite outcome. In Japan, this type of shaped resist is known as shibori. In the West small tie-and-dye pieces were widely traded and became known as “bandanas” - after the term bandhani. 
To achieve multiple colours with this process requires skill and patience as each new colour needs either a new tie or a separate dip in the dyebath. The result of applying bandhani on silk is a sculptural textile with a unique life of its own.
Maiwa works directly with bandhani artisans working Kutch Desert of Gujarat, Western India.


See All Bandhani Scarves & Shawls Here




See All Bandhani Scarves & Shawls Here


                                            



                                            

See All Bandhani Scarves & Shawls Here



                                            

JABBAR & ABDULLAH KHATRI

Bandhani has a long and illustrious history in western India. The technique of wrapped thread resist evolved into a powerful expression of identity for cultural groups as well as a simple and quick pattern technique that could be applied to trade textiles. Bandhani gave us the “bandana,” a trade textile in its most popular form.

Within India dense fields of pointillist dots became a mark of prestige—the closer and smaller the dots, the more difficult and time-consuming the textiles were to make. Fine patterns were prized above all others. Multiple colours and complex patterns flourished.

Brothers Jabbar and Abdullah Khatri are dedicated to maintaining bandhani traditions. Their story is an unusual tale of a family returning to the craft after skipping a generation. The two visited Maiwa last year and delivered a lecture on their personal relationship with bandhani. The pair also participated in the Five Artisans Exhibition.

                                            

To our U.S. customers – don't forget that the exchange rate works in your favour, it's like an extra discount.
Tuesday, September 22, 2020 No comments

 






Watch Our New Trailer Here

Taking full advantage of over thirty years of world-wide textile research, Maiwa has been busy writing, editing, filming and producing its first set of online workshops.

Soon we will be sharing what we have prepared. 


schooloftextiles.com


We have always wanted to expand our teaching to a wider audience. We think that everyone should have access to high-quality instruction in textile techniques, delivered in an engaging visual format. 

Make sure you are subscribed to our email list.

Keep an eye on schooloftextiles.com for updates. 




Visit naturaldyes.ca Here


Thursday, September 17, 2020 No comments

 




PATCHED FROM THE QUILTER'S FAVOURITE FABRICS

THERE IS ONLY ONE OF EACH QUILT

Fields of colour and brilliant patchwork all covered with tight running stitches. These vintage quilts have been cherished for years, they are medium weight and big personality.

Kantha quilts are made for household use in rural parts of Bengal and Bangladesh. Favourite prints, saris, and beloved lengths of cloth are stitched together with plain and coloured threads. Every quilter has her own individual style. These quilts are used as bedcovers, blankets, tablecloths, picnic blankets, car blankets, couch blankets ... there is no limit to the utility of these textiles. 


See All Patterns Here


NEW ARRIVALS





See All Patterns Here




See All Patterns Here





WOVEN & EMBROIDERED

KEEP EVERYTHING ORGANIZED



See These 3 Pouches Here



To our U.S. customers – don't forget that the exchange rate works in your favour, it's like an extra discount.

Tuesday, September 15, 2020 No comments
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      • BOOK & TOTE BAGSee All Banjara Tote Bags Here<
      • STITCH — EMBROIDER — MENDTHE THREADS THAT CONNECT ...
      • Thousands of Tiny Perfect Dots – All Tied by Hand
      • Maiwa School of Textiles is Reinventing Itself – O...
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