I had the opportunity to accompany Active Travel’s Textile Tour group for a few days. South of Trongsa, we visited the Tarayana Foundation’s unique project that has revived the art of weaving cloth from the bark of stinging nettles. Continue reading
As I travelled to Phobjika in November, the cold weather was prompting the wearing of Yathra garments. Continue reading
Recently the King of Bhutan married his bride, Jetsun Pema. Watching the ceremony taking place in Punakha, I heard Bhutanese wondering why the King was wearing floral brocade rather than one of his many handsome aikapur ghos, which they considered more typically Bhutanese. Continue reading
Kushutara pieces are expensive because they are so labour intensive, so I have purchased only one large piece. The remainder of my “collection” is in the more affordable form of the photographs on the other pages of this website. Continue reading
Along with mathra, Sethra is a very popular plaid associated with Central Bhutan. Continue reading
The addition of sapma motifs to sethra or mathra woven for a woman’s kira is a more recent innovation and designated “pesar” or “new design.” Continue reading
I have not had the opportunity to weave yathra, and only the briefest opportunity to watch it being woven. Continue reading
Fabric woven from wild silk is coarser than that made from reeled silk due to the thickness and unevenness of the thread.
Frame loom for weaving yathra, Bumthang
In addition to the backstrap loom two other kinds of looms are used in Bhutan: the frame loom and the card loom. Continue reading
Mathra is a predominantly maroon plaid, originally from Kurtoe, but now more closely associated with Bumthang. Continue reading
