Ecofriendly Handspun Handwoven Denim
Ecofriendly Handmade Denim Fabric
Ecofriendly Handspun Handwoven (Khadi) Selvedge Denim fabric is an option which is quite rare to find in today’s world!
What is Ecofriendly Handspun Handwoven (Khadi) Selvedge Denim?
Let’s first understand what is Ecofriendly Handspun Handwoven (Khadi) Denim.
For any fabric to be called “khadi“, it is essential that it has been made from “hand-spun” yarns, and woven manually on handlooms. Handspun Handwoven ecofriendly selvedge denim in addition is woven, in a dense construction of the Three Up, One Down (3×1) twill weave.
Hand-spun Yarn
Traditionally a yarn that has been spun out of the fibres using a manually operated “charkha” was called “hand-spun” yarn and it required skilled artisans who are handed down the skill and knowledge from the ancestors.
However, with technological innovations and the rise in demand for sustainable fabrics, the charkhas have also become modernized with solar charkha being the most recent addition. Solar charkhas ensure more consistent and larger production.
Handwoven Fabric
A handloom is a machine, operated by a weaver using hand and feet, for weaving yarn into fabric, in which the length-wise yarns (warp) are stretched out in the form of a sheet, and the width-wise yarn (weft) is interlaced with the warp using a carrier (shuttle) which traverses from one end to the other and back, thereby producing the fabric.
All the operations in this process are carried out manually, without using any electrically operated motors, by the weaver using his / her hand and feet only.
Again, with technological innovation even the handlooms have can be upgraded and attachments can be added to automate some or most of the manual processes for more consistent and faster production.
3×1 Twill Weave
A weave in which the warp yarn floats over three consecutive weft yarns, and under the fourth weft yarn, creating a diagonal line effect across the fabric.
Selvedge Denim
Selvedge also referred to as self edge or selvage, is the narrow, tightly woven neatly finished band on both edges of the fabric along the fabric length
The ‘self edge’ is A selvedge end prevents the edge of the denim from unravelling and shows a clean, finished look. Selvedge fabric is created when the warp on old shuttle weaving machines (or shuttle looms) is carries from one edge of the fabric to the other and back.
The vintage shuttle-weaving machines which were used for making denim fell out of use in the mid-twentieth century as they were replaced with projectile looms that could keep up with the growing demand for denim and the denim made on these looms has a frayed edge.
Hand Spinning
Spinning is an ancient textile art in which fibers are drawn out and twisted together to form yarn. Traditionally, cotton fibers have been spun into a yarn by hand, using a very basic machine called a “charkha”.
The cotton fibres – in the form of a sliver – are held in one hand and gradually released to form a strand which gets wound on a spindle rotated continuously by the wheel using the other hand.
The hand-spun yarn is quite different from mill-spun yarn in terms of hand-feel and appearance. The thickness of the yarn varies along the length, with thicker portions appearing in a random manner. The fibers are loosely spun, giving the yarn lot more porosity and softness.
Hand Weaving
Weaving on handlooms is also an ancient textile craft, in which the lengthwise yarns (warp) are interwoven with the yarns along the width (weft) to interlace them and form the fabric. The warp is divided into two or more sets, and the one of these sets is raised to form a shed, through which the weft is passed across using a “shuttle”.
The raising of warp is done by pressing a foot-pedal, and the shuttle is thrown by hand or by means of a pusher attached to a string which is pulled by hand.
The entire operation is carried out manually, without using any electrically operated devices or machinery.
Ecofriendly handwoven Denim Collection
We offer the world’s finest handwoven selvedge denim fabric, made from handspun yarn, in a wide range of weights, constructions and colors.
The light weight version, suitable for shirts, dresses, tops, kurtas and other such items is around 6 oz / sq yard. The medium weight ecofriendly handmade denim, our most popular and most-loved fabric, for making khadi denim selvedge cut jeans, jackets, denim trousers, etc. is around 9 oz / sq yard. We also offer heavier khadi selvedge denim fabrics, weighing 10 – 13 oz / sq yard, which are quite popular for making selvedge cut jeans, jackets, coats, trousers, and much more.
