sari quilt SOLD

"Tired? Stressed? The Japanese art of forest bathing or shinrin yoku, which involves slow and tranquil walks through pristine wilderness, may be the cure for the ills of your urban life."

There's loads of research into nature's pick-me-up qualities conducted in Japan, where "forest bathing", is a popular way to unwind. You keep your clothes on, but otherwise immerse yourself and your senses in nature: run your fingers through the soil, fill your lungs with fresh, fragrant air and listen to all the sounds....

• Surrounding our selves with nature has always been healing.
• This sari quilt is the next best thing, You might not be able to literally forest bathe all the time but you can stop at the end of each day, wrap yourself in this quilt that has all the features of the forest, close your eyes, take deep breathes and picture your favourite forest or bush walk. 
• Stopping for 10 minutes....what difference a day makes !

You receive a queen size, wonderfully smooth, cotton, triple quilted throw to keep you warm on a cold day or snug after a hard day.

As a fair trade product, your choice has empowered the lady who made this to a better her standard and quality of life.

As an ethical gift you can't go wrong!

This gorgeous fair trade sari quilted throw has been made from vintage colourful cotton saris, by women who have been given another chance to earn an income with dignity. These ladies have been taken off the streets and taught the skill of quilting using the local Bengali Kantha quilt stitch

•  100% fair trade
•   100% recycled cotton saris  
•  are great as a summer quilt or as an extra layer of warmth for winter 
• 2 m x 2m in size

Each one is unique, beautiful, eco-friendly and fair trade 

Group : EMC, Kolkata, India

EMC is an initiative where young women from the slums of Kolkata, India receive training and job opportunities. As well as theory and practical skills in tailoring and paper craft work, the women are taught English, business skills and values for life.

For more on the work of EMC and the culture of the sari click here

Creation

The best used saris are purchased from a central market and brought to EMS. There they are cut to size and the front and back patterns are chosen to compliment. From there 3 other layers of saris are quilted inside with the traditional running stitch of Bengal, the katha (or Kantha).

Impact on poverty

Most of the sari blankets are created in the homes of women who have come out of tough places such as prostitution and drug addiction. The personal, spiritual and practical training EMC offers these ladies is a massive leg up into a dignified life. Working from home allows them to be flexible with their home duties but still bring an income into their households.

Let's not forget the on-seller of this sari who has been in such a position as to need to sell their own clothing! That state is something to be contemplated!

...and for you...

If your sari could talk to you about the life it has seen what a tale it would tell! The blessing for you, of this life is a wonderfully smooth, luxurious feeling cotton sari quilt. The satisfaction of knowing this very practical item has not cost the earth or its inhabitants is comforting. The maker has been empowered to rise to a new level of life and that comes through your fair trade purchase. As an unashamedly ethical gift, you can't go wrong!

Impact on the planet

One less thing manufactured from raw materials can only be good for this world! One less thing in landfill or polluting a street is even better.