Handwoven Silk Scarves and Shawls
100% natural and traditionally made
Reviewed by Jo on 01 August 2008
Rating: 
The cooperative making the scarves uses natural and local dyes, locally
produced silk and traditional weaving techniques. No electricity is used in
production and all equipment is made on site using recycled or renewable materials.
The cooperative based in a small village in
More details about this company and how it was set up are available in the community section.
 | Made from recycled materials |
 | Minimises the use of pesticides / fertilizers |
| Fairtrade |
| Aussie made |
| Sustainable |
| Minimises chemical use |
| Lifecycle impacts considered |
Options
There are many patterns available in numerous colours and sizes. Some of the styles available in this season’s range are shown below. For full details of the complete range of scarves and shawls go to the Eastern Weft website.
Cost - AU$60-300 depending on the size, design and grade of silk used.
Where to buy
The scarves are available through a number of retail outlets. Or contact Eastern Weft directly if custom made designs are required.
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Raw material – The silk is from either mulberry (Lao) silk, an indigenous species which feed on mulberry leaves and which produce the finest mulberry silk. About 40 cocoons once unwound, can produce one thread of silk about a mile long. The courser silk is produced from the eri silk worm which feeds on caster leaves. The silk from eri silk worms is hand spun. The dyes are made from local plants, leaves and flowers sourced from within
Bobbins, shuttles and other equipment used for the weaving process are hand made using local materials. The fuel for boiling up the silk and dyes comes from locally sourced dead trees and twigs. The pots and pans were made by melting bits of old scrap metal from American fighter jets shot down during the Vietnam war on the Laos/Vietnam border. The weaving looms were purchased from an old factory and restored. |
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Manufacturing – The design is undertaken in |
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Distribution – The silk, dyes, fuel and equipment
is sourced local to where the products are made and the garments are
assembled in the one location and shipped in bulk to |
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Product use – The silk scarves are made to a high standard and use the finest raw materials as such should last a lifetime. The scarves and shawls can be worn or used for decoration. Silk should be hand washed using gentle and natural detergents. |
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Waste management - The silk is biodegradable. No plastics are used in packaging and distribution and packaging materials required for distribution have been minimised where possible. |