Fair Trade & artisan-made in India

Designed in the United States

Crafted by indigenous women artisans from a displaced community in Northwest India, supporting dignified, skill-based livelihoods

Made from kora cotton — unbleached, unprocessed cotton with a natural off-white finish

Hand block printed using hand-carved wooden blocks and low-impact, azo-free dyes

Highly absorbent, durable, and reusable — a sustainable alternative to disposable paper napkins

Substantial handfeel, ideal for everyday use and entertaining

Gift-ready set of four, packaged with a belly band and hanger sharing the artisan story and techniques

Ideal for hostess gifts, housewarmings, weddings, Mother’s Day, Thanksgiving, holidays, and seasonal gifting

MATERIAL & CARE

Material: 100% kora cotton (unbleached, unprocessed)
Size: 18" × 18"
Technique: Hand block printed
Care: Machine wash cold, delicate cycle; tumble dry low

These hand block printed napkins are crafted from kora cotton, cotton left unbleached and unprocessed to retain its natural off-white tone. This raw finish avoids the heavy chemical treatments associated with conventional bleaching and forms the perfect canvas for hand-applied prints, allowing colors and motifs to stand out with warmth and depth.

Each napkin is printed by hand using contemporary motifs carved into wooden blocks, then stamped repeatedly with low-impact dyes. The result is a textile that balances modern design with the character and variation inherent to handmade production.

Produced by women artisans from a community that was forcibly displaced from ancestral villages to create a national park, this work provides a vital, off-farm livelihood. Through hand block printing, artisans gain fair income, skill development, and long-term economic stability while rebuilding community and independence.

The hand block printing process is a meticulous, labor-intensive craft. Artisans begin by carving designs into wooden blocks, one for each motif or color. Dye is carefully applied to the block, which is then pressed firmly and evenly onto the fabric. Each napkin requires dozens of individual impressions, with artisans reapplying dye frequently to maintain consistency.

This slow, deliberate process ensures clarity of pattern while allowing subtle variations that make every piece unique.

The artisan group was formed with support from a foundation to help displaced villagers—especially women—develop marketable skills using handcraft traditions. Today, the community operates as an independent enterprise providing steady income, safe working conditions, professional training, and social support programs that foster long-term resilience.