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This fabric's warp and weft are both smooth spun Ahimsa™ Peace
silk. "Peace" silk,
also called vegetarian silk, is from cocoons from which
the moth has completed its transformation and emerges
free and happy.
Staple
is approx. 2” and the yarns are two-ply for a soft, sparkly luster;
drapey hand; and excellent durability.
This fabric is perfectly easy-care, with water washing (gentle cycle,
mild soap and warm water) and tumble drying. Ironing is optional; it will
yield a smoother surface finish.
Warp-ways, estimate 1% shrinkage. Weft-ways, estimate 4% shrinkage.
Weight per linear yard: 3 oz.
Cruelty-Free
We at Aurora Silk are pleased to be the exclusive importer-distributor
for this finest-quality cruelty-free Mulberry silk fabric.
Cheryl Kolander visited the production site in India in November
2006, and we are happy to report that all aspects of
the operation are clean, healthy and honorable — absolutely
no child labour or slavery; cocoons are raised in small
family farms without the use of pesticides, herbicides,
antibiotics, genetic engineering or any other practice
of disrepute. The Ahimsa™ label
is patented to our partner-producer in India. |
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| Undyed Fabric: Natural
Eggshell Off-White |
| 1-4 yards |
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| Additional yards over 5 |
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Undyed Ahimsa™ and Eri Peace
Silks: What's the Difference?
The Ahimsa™ Peace silk is from Bombyx mori cultivated cocoons,
and our Eri Peace silk is
from wildcrafted or semi-cultivated
wild silk cocoons. The Ahimsa™ is
slightly whiter and brighter after
washing. It has a slightly higher
sparkle, or soft luster. Also,
the hand is a little softer, as the
fibre is the finest cultivated variety.
I
expect the Ahimsa™ to take dye colours
like other Bombyx silks, while the
Eri dyes like other wild silks. (Will
be testing this in early 2007.) |
| Ahimsa™ Peace
Silk: Naturally Hand-Dyed Saris and Stoles |
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| Ahimsa™ blue ikat (detail) |
Deja modeling Ahimsa™ stole |
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We have several varieties
of saris (6 to 7 yard lengths) and stoles
(2.5 yard lengths) made of Ahimsa™ Peace silk
in yarn-dyed ikat pattern. The naturally
dyed colours are soft and test out permanent.
The main dyes used are Mungesth, a local
Madder, which gives soft pink to soft coral
tones; Indigo for light blues; and Myrobalans for golden tans.
It is not possible to send colour samples, as this would require cutting
the finished pieces. However, our return
policy allows you to return any sari or stole
that does not please you.
Cheryl personally visited the weavers/dyers of these World Textile
Treasures. She plans to return to teach new
techniques and dyes to expand the repertoire of colours available, as well as to introduce new designs for the traditional tied-before-weaving ikat patterns. Your purchases support this effort. |
| Saris
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| Ahimsa™ Peace silk sari:
soft earth red and light peach |
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The saris are 44” wide by over 6
feet long. The naturally
dyed ikat pattern
is hand tied in the
yarn before weaving.
One end of the sari
has elaborate
patterning all the
way across for approx.
1 yard. Then the
colour of the center
changes, while the
same borders run
for
approx. 5 yards.
The final yard is
all one colour, with
just the pattern
woven border.
Two
colour combinations
in stock. |
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| Ahimsa™ Peace silk sari,
ikat pattern |
Soft earth red and pale green; 6-plus
yards |
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| Ahimsa™ Peace silk sari,
ikat pattern |
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| Stoles |
click to enlarge photo
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| Ahimsa™ Peace silk stoles:
pale green (left corner) and warm lavender |
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The stoles are 24” wide by 90” long
(2.5 yards) with fringe. The naturally dyed ikat pattern
is hand tied in the yarn before weaving. The stoles are
woven with the fine threads of different
colours crossing each other for a lovely “shot”, “shimmer” or
pearlized effect. The colours combine to
the eye; so, for instance, pink crossed with
blue gives lavender! Please click on the
pictures to the left and above to see larger
images.
Two colour combinations in stock. |
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| Ahimsa™ Peace silk stole,
ikat pattern |
Pale-green effect (soft blue crossed
with tan); 2.5 yards |
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| Ahimsa™ Peace silk stole,
ikat pattern |
Warm lavender effect (soft blue crossed
with rose tan); 2.5 yards |
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See more naturally dyed silk fabric …
See Noil fabric ("raw silk") with
Ahimsa™ fibres … |
