Sreepur Scarves
All of our products are handmade by women at The Sreepur Village. Once abused, poverty stricken and vulnerable, these women came to The Sreepur Village looking for sanctuary and a chance of a happier, safer future.
The women are taught traditional textile methods including natural dyeing processes, embroidering and weaving on hand looms. We strongly believe in supporting local skills and customs to provide a sustainable future for the community. The sales of these products go straight to the charity which pays the women a fair wage, for the products they have made. A proportion of their earnings are also allocated to a savings account, so they may embark on an independent career, when they are ready to leave The Sreepur Village, as empowered women.
Sreepur Scarves
Another common substance used in the dyeing of our textiles is tea leaves, again this is readily available and non-toxic. There are so many sources easily accessible to The Sreepur Village which we can use to dye our textiles including Bark of Babla, Skin of Dalam and Manjit to name just a few. We positively encourage the use of indigenous produce in our production processes.
Of course there is a requirement for the necessary mordant to fix the dyes which commonly are alum, copper sulphate, copper, ferrous sulphate (Iron) and potassium dichromate (Chrome). These ensure that the natural dyes adhere to the natural materials we use; without them the colour would not take.
Natural Materials
The fabrics we use to make our products are all natural consisting of either cotton, wool, silk or jute, which means that they are all biodegradable materials.
The Sreepur Village products often have a mix of either cotton and silk, cotton and wool, silk and wool, cotton and jute. Some are wonderfully soft to the touch and provide a warm comforting feel for chillier months such as the wool scarves. The lighter scarves, ideal for spring and the warmer months, are those containing a mix of cotton and silk
Traditional Techniques
All of The Sreepur Village scarves are handmade using a traditional hand loom. The embroidered products have all been carefully created by hand using skills and techniques passed down through generations in the local villages. From paisley style designs to elephants and flowers, the women develop beautiful intricate patterns for the scarves and bags we sell at The Sreepur Village online store.
Fair Trade, Fair Wage
