Blog — rlprocess

So many hands go into each Rustic Loom product and I wanted to share with you our process. First, I get inspired (usually by nature), then play with shapes and color using paper stencils in my Brooklyn studio.  I then scan the artwork into Photoshop and work into a repeated pattern.  I make diagrams for wooden block cutting, select color ways, select yarns for color matching and approve color tests.  Pigment is mixed and fabric is hand block printed by master printers in Bagru, India.  The fabric is then stitched by a women's empowerment organization providing fair wages for women in India.  Thank...

The process of batik block printing is a time intensive one.  A whole lot of love and dedication goes into each of our hand dyed and hand printed batik products:  batik cloth napkins, batik tea towels, batik placemats, batik table runners, batik zipper pouches and clutches, pillows. We are fortunate to work with Mr. Edmunson, a skilled batik artisan in Winneba, Ghana.  Mr. Edmunson has a history of working in textile mills in Ghana where he worked on industrially printed African wax print textiles.  He is now retired from working in the mills (many of which are sadly no longer in existence in Ghana)....

In celebration of International Women's Day and Rustic Looms commitment to women's empowerment, I'd like to highlight Rupali Madan, the founder of ERA Women.  ERA Women is a women's organization in Mumbai who employs disadvantaged women to sew our wares.  I met Rupali on a craft exploration trip in India- and I am so lucky I did!  Rupali is a mother, sculptor, artist, designer, and multi tasking powerhouse who inspires me, and we share the same passion for women's empowerment.  I am grateful to work with her and her team of women who hand craft our ikat and block printed...