Nepal Textile Adventure 2017 Part 1 Kathmandu

I first found out about Karen Haggis and her Nepal Textile Adventure last September. It had been a very hard time for me and my husband, as we both lost our fathers in the summer. We hadn't had a proper holiday for a while, and this trip to Nepal (including the far east of the country) promised so much: discovering the art of dhaka weaving and 'counted thread' embroidery, participating in workshops on feltmaking and blockprinting and photographing one of the most colourful cultures in the world. 
I signed up, met Karen and the 5 other women in the group and, in April, embarked on one of the most exciting  trips of my life.

The Bauddha Stupa

The first part of the stay in Nepal was in Kathmandu, perfectly situated near the Bauddha Stupa where pilgrims come to circumambulate and pray. A place full of life, music, clamour and colour.

The Women's Foundation of Nepal 

Whilst in Kathmandu, we were introduced to the work of the Women's Foundation, which provides a violence-free society for women and children in Nepal. This includes providing training and employment, particularly in textiles and jewellery-making. We were able to browse the beautiful scarves (and buy not a few!) and to see their fair-trade creations up close. 

Association for Craft Producers

We spent a couple of days at the Association for Craft Producers, learning about block-printing and feltmaking, as well as meeting makers of glass, ceramics, knitwear and metal work. It was really interesting to see how the feltmakers worked. As they are producing goods to a brief, they follow a pattern and, in effect, mass produce each of the products within a range. These are then sold in Nepal and abroad. We could choose our own colours and patterns, as you can see in the photo above.
​It certainly made me appreciate the freedom I have to create my own designs.

For more about this incredible adventure, check out Part 2.