Jamdani embodies a slow and meticulous weaving, done entirely by hand. The insertion of the pattern requires manual intervention, which makes it an extremely laborious but also deeply artistic technique. Each Jamdani piece we offer is an invitation to wear a fragment of history, an echo of the hands that shaped it.
PREPARATION OF THE THREADS
The process begins with the selection of fine threads that will serve as the weft and warp. These threads are carefully stretched on a traditional loom, where each step is carried out with millimeter precision.
INSERTING COLORED THREADS
The artisan's hand then enters into a dialogue with the material, delicately inserting, via a small pin, the colored threads into the weft. With each insertion, the artisan carefully weaves around the threads to fix the patterns in the fabric. This allows the creation of patterns directly integrated into the fabric, without embroidery or printing. This process requires total concentration, as each detail is elaborated without mechanization, guaranteeing an impeccable finish.
FINAL WEAVING
The basic threads and the patterns advance together on the loom, creating a perfect harmony between the lightness of the fabric and the richness of the details. Each woven centimeter is a victory over time, because several weeks, even months, are necessary to complete a single length.
Ikat is not just a technique, it is a real artisanal choreography where each step has its importance. Ikat patterns, often blurred or slightly offset, reflect the hand of the artisan and the beauty of the unpredictable. These effects of texture and color create textiles that are both dynamic and poetic.
WIRE PREPARATIONS
The process begins with the choice of threads, often cotton or silk, which will be stretched into bundles. Each thread is carefully knotted in a precise pattern using twine or dye-resistant materials. These knots act as barriers to protect selected parts of the thread during dyeing.
THREAD DYEING
The knotted bundles are dipped in dye baths, often repeated several times to achieve deep and varied shades. With each new dyeing, the knots can be moved or removed to reveal different areas, creating intricate patterns directly on the threads.
ALIGNMENT AND WEAVING
Once the threads are dyed, they are carefully aligned on the loom. Weaving is an exercise in precision: the artisans must perfectly position each thread according to the planned pattern. Once the threads are woven, the designs come to life in a play of imperfections that make each piece unique.
Dip Dye, or immersion dyeing, consists of delicately dipping the fabric into successive baths of color. This technique embodies a more instinctive and artistic approach, where mastery of the gesture is at the heart of the process.
FABRIC PREPARATION
The fabric is carefully prepared and sometimes pre-moistened to ensure even absorption of the colours. It is then hung, folded or tied depending on the gradient or patterns desired.
IMMERSION IN DYE BERRIES
The fabric is hand-dipped into dye baths, one layer at a time. The artisans play on the depth of immersion, the duration of contact with the bath and the superpositions of colors to create gradients faithful to the given pattern. The transitions between the shades do not follow any rigid rules, giving each piece a unique and singular character.
FIXING AND DRYING
Once the dyeing is complete, the fabric is rinsed to remove excess color, then fixed to ensure the longevity of the shades. Drying is often carried out in the open air, allowing the colors to reveal their full intensity.
COTTON
WOOL
EXTRAFINE MERINO
SILK
