Collab with Heartiness handwovens: “Lotus”

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In collaboration with Olga from Heartiness from Russia, I could work out my second project of a custom handwoven wrap series, „Lotus“. A project like this needs some time, organisation and coordination. The communication with the weaver found place via e-mail, the one with the other participants of the warp via Facebook and e-mail as well.
If you want a custom wrap, you’ll reach the weaver with the idea of a wrap woven with a specific sequence of colours, let her do a mock-up/design maybe change it again (and again) and present the result to other mamas who could be interested.

With the choice of the design, the warp is fixed. Now, you’ll have to collect the weft choises of all participants which means colour, material, length of the wrap and weaving pattern. Because the choice of the weft colour leads to very different results in the look of the wrap, the weaver hands you other mock ups, done with a special computer program, to show the impact of the chosen colour.

Imagine that white as weft colour will let your wrap look pastel-like and black as weft colour will let it look darker. Usually, the warp is cotton. As weft, you’ll be able to choose between cotton as well, linen, cottolin, merino, silk, tencel etc, some of them available in different thickness of the thread.

The material as influence of the wrap’s characteristics

This choice will have an influence on the characteristics of the finished product, e.g. the wrapping and how it feels, makes it shine more or less, makes it heavier or lighter, warmer or colder. The material has an influence on the pricing, too, of course. Silk is more expensive e.g.

When deciding about the length of the wrap, every mother has to consider, what she wants. A wrap for a decent Ruck (3-4m), a piece for a ring sling (1,6-2m) or a long wrap (up to 5m or more), being open to do a lot of (multi-layer) carries or some special finishes.

When deciding about the weave, it’s as well deciding for a special look and carrying comfort.
Before the weaver will order the yarns, she’ll ask for a prepayment (usually 50%). The custom holder will have to collect this money from the participants and pay the weaver (bank transfer).

Shipping all wraps in one batch

After the weaver has finished the wraps, you’ll do the same thing with the rest oft he the sum. Then, the weaver will ship all wraps in a bunch to the custom holder which then ships them further to the individuals (she already asked for the shipping costs before and collected them from the mamas).