Production Period 2013

It's that time of year again when we have to hold the processing and dispatch of all online orders while sourcing and producing our range of products for 2013.

From January 30th until 5th April we will be unable to deal with online orders. Naturally, we will contact anyone placing orders during this time via email to let them know that their orders will be dispatched on our return.

We are still working on our pre-production planning and designing and are excited about our new fabric designs and the garments that will be cut from them. We will be stocking up on yarns and twines all dyed with our favourite natural dye colours as well as including a few new craft materials and tools.

We hear that scheduled power cuts (load shedding) has already reached 14 hours a day in Kathmandu, so hopefully not too much drama regarding tailoring. Good old traditional dyeing and weaving on handlooms do not rely on electricity, which is a blessing.

We look forward to slowly uploading our 2013 collection after our return and wish to apologise for any inconvenience caused by delay to all online order processing during the dates mentioned above. We greatly appreciate your understanding.

Natural fibres, Natural dyes and Original designs http://www.sorazora.com/

Hand Carved Craft Tools

As much as I love working with bone and horn, I have enjoyed carving various hardwoods into craft tools.

Below is a selection of tools used for needle binding, braiding or weaving. All have been carved from either boxwood, ironwood, ash or bamboo.

 The image below shows four slightly different styles of weaving shuttle. The weft thread is wound onto the shuttle to be passed through the shed in the warp threads. These styles are based on shuttle designs that have been in existence for many centuries. Unlike other shuttles that I have made, these are slightly more user friendly as the shuttle doesn't unwind so much if dropped (and I tend to drop things regularly!). Two of the shuttles have a flat bladed edge along one side, this is so the shuttle can also act as a simple beating stick to tighten as you weave.

 The selection of needles below have been carved from either ironwood, ash or bamboo. They can be used for many different applications involving a thick yarn or twine. This style of needle is commonly used in needle binding.

Natural fibres, Natural dyes and Original designs http://www.sorazora.com/