




Threads of Life
Indonesian Handwoven Cloth Sampler
Indonesian Handwoven Cloth Sampler
6328 San Pablo Ave
6328 San Pablo Ave
Oakland CA 94608
United States
Each sampler consists of six handwoven fabrics, including two ikats, from communities throughout Indonesia who are working with Threads of Life. The sampler pictured is an example of what you will receive.
The fabric is naturally dyed, handspun and handwoven, and each piece of cloth is a beautiful example of traditional Indonesian textile practice. The sampler demonstrates a variety of techniques, from ikat to warp-wrapping, from different regions such as Flores or Sulawesi. Included in each sampler are two bobbins of indigo dyed cotton thread.
Use this sampler for mending, piecework, artwork, or simply inspiration. Each square piece of fabric measures 5" x 5".
Kristine and Adrienne visited Threads of Life in Indonesia to learn about plant-based mordanting techniques using symplocos, and dyeing with local plants while researching their second book on natural dyeing, Journeys in Natural Dyeing. Threads of Life partners with over 1,000 women in more than 35 cooperative groups on islands from Kalimantan to Timor, making field visits and engaging in commerce to help support Indonesian communities creating textiles.
Read more about natural dyeing and traditional textile production in Indonesia in Journeys in Natural Dyeing. Kristine and Adrienne include a section on the work that Threads of Life does in the book and look deeper at the steps used to mordant and dye with plants.
CROCKING
When working with yarn dyed with indigo and with medium to dark shades of natural dyes (especially on slick fibers like mohair), it is common and natural for the dye to rub off on one’s hands while making. This is called crocking. Although the goods have been washed, it takes pressured contact to release the extra dye. Your handwork is part of the dyeing process. The dye can be removed with hot water and soap. From working closely with dyed materials through the making process, typically, the excess dye has been removed, and the crocking will cease.
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ALWAYS use pH-neutral soap when blocking and washing natural dyes.
Please note the fiber content of the material you are working with, and follow the applicable instructions:
Cotton or linen - Machine washable on cool cycle. Lay flat to dry.
Superwash Wool - Machine washable on cool cycle, though hand wash recommended. Lay flat to dry.
Wool and Wool blends - Handwash only in lukewarm water. Lay flat to dry.
Yarn that has been pre-ordered and / or purchased can be exchanged within 45 days from when we contact you to pick it up (for curbside pickup) or from the day that we ship it for store credit only (less any shipping costs) as long as it is in its original condition (ball band in place). After this time period, yarn can no longer be returned for store credit. We do not refund original or return shipping costs. Please read our full policy here.
If you would like to add-to-order, please click here to review the instructions. We cannot refund shipping charges.
If you would like to apply a discount code, please click here to review the instructions. We cannot refund discounts.
Please click here for our shipping rates and policies.
Curbside Pick-Up
To pick up your order at our shop, when checking out, under shipping method, choose Pick up at our Oakland store - 6328 San Pablo Ave.
You will receive an email when your order is ready. Orders placed Tuesday-Saturday are typically ready within 24 hours. To pick up your order, come to the shop between 11am - 3pm, Tuesday-Saturday. Knock on the front door and give us your name.
Pre-orders
Pre-orders will ship on the date listed on the product’s webpage. If you ordered additional items, all items will be shipped with your pre-order. If you would like those items shipped separately, please place two separate orders.


