Artisans apply block print patterns to natural, kora cotton - this is unbleached fabric, and is the purest form of cotton. To start printing, an artisan evenly applies dye to a hand-carved wooden block. The fabric is then hand-stamped, firmly and steadily, leaving a printed pattern. The artisan must add dye frequently to maintain the same intensity of color. Once the artisan has finished printing with a specific color and block, the artisan cleans the block and often must wait for the cloth to dry before continuing. This is a deceptively simple art - each piece features dozens, if not hundreds, of careful impressions. This artisan group, based in West India, focuses on women from low-income households, slum communities and offers skill-building and employment opportunities. This non-profit group, based in Western India, focuses on women from low-income slum communities and offers them skill-building and employment opportunities.
Sustainability & Fair Trade
Hand-made
100% kora (unbleached) cotton
Eco-friendly azo-free dyes
Reusable - Machine washable
Fair Trade
Fair, steady income
Healthy and safe working conditions
Employs urban slum women, irrespective of caste, age or religion
Provides financial and technical assistance
This artisan group began over forty years ago as a small-scale, income-generating project, aimed at training low-income and unskilled women to stitch sari petticoats, also known as sari underskirts. Many women in slum communities have few income opportunities and locally marketable skills. The project blossomed into a multifaceted, well-established program that has far-reaching impacts.
