It is quite amazing for me to see how what looks like quite a basic operation with mostly home made looms can produce such high quality weaving. The weavers in this mill are mostly local boys in their early twenties that have been trained by the mill owner. As we wandered through the looms we noticed that each loom has been personalised by the weaver with pictures of pop stars and girlfriends, and most importantly a small mirror, as I know its important to look good whilst you weave!
Evidence showing the importance of a positive mental attitude whilst dealing with all those broken threads!
By lunchtime we had managed to weave about 10 small trials of fabric that Oscar seemed very happy with. After lunch we sat down with the weaver to discuss how we would proceed and to explain that I would be sending more designs at the end of the month. What was great about this mill is how open the weaver was to new ideas. He seemed to be a real maverick, having initially started out as a silk producer then moving into weaving as a way of using his yarns. Most of the looms had actually been built by him and he was also the first in the town to use a jacquard loom. He seemed genuinely excited by the project and open to being able to produce new kinds of fabrics.
The beginning of our trials
Discussing the days work...
After lunch he also got out a large selection of fabric pieces that we were able to buy, naturally I couldn’t resist and can now add some beautiful yarn dyed jacquards to my collection.
So we said our goodbyes, loaded up the car with fabric and a good selection of rice crackers, a gift from the mill owners wife and set off back to Jakarta. Looking forward to a more peaceful nights sleep, could hear only the faintest murmur of Reggy and her husband Nicks home karaoke machine as I drifted off to sleep.
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