The Craft Diaries - Natural dyeing and weaving

Natural dyeing and weaving

We met a natural dyeing and weaving family in Bhujodi village.
The grandfather spent years mastering the art of craft. To make indigo dye, a special concoction of jaggery, lime and indigo is brewed on their farm. The jaggery promotes the growth of the bacteria which then consumes the indigo cake whilst the lime maintains the perfect ph level.

The vats of indigo are incubated with goat dung to keep it at the optimum temperature of 36 degrees. After three weeks the indigo is ready and fabrics are dipped and dried daily for up to ten days to get the darkest hue. A labour of love.



They dye natural yarns using either azo free or natural dyes to create their rugs, blankets and stoles. In the photos below, they have used all their left over yarns to create the most amazing rainbow check. Glorious!

The women hand spin the yarns and set the looms and then the men weave the yarns over the course of four to seven days. The end result is so beautiful.

The family business is respected for their fine work, supplying countries all over the world. We are looking forward to weaving with them soon.