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Kashmir, a region
of
India
Kashmir, a region
of
India
nestled in the Himalayas,
nestled in the Himalayas,
near
the
Tibetan border,
near
the
Tibetan border,
is known for its
is known for its
stunning natural beauty
stunning natural beauty
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It is home to a
It is home to a
thriving textile
thriving textile
industry where QADRI’s
industry where QADRI’s
skilled artisans
skilled artisans
create
the
world's most
create
the
world's most
beautiful cashmere
beautiful cashmere
artisans
At the QADRI workshop in Srinagar we work with over 200 women who help create our products. We are proud to support their livelihoods and preserve the traditional art of Kashmiri shawl-making.
and
We take great care to ensure QADRI products are ethically created. Our manufacturing partner is sedex certified which verifies the sustainability of our supply chain and attests to the manufacturer’s commitment to fair labor practices and environmental sustainability. No animals are harmed in the process of making our shawls.
Our handwoven shawls are beautiful and a testament to the rich cultural heritage of Kashmir. We honor this tradition by creating pieces that are not only works of art in themselves, but also help sustain the livelihoods of the artisans who create them.
OUR HANDWOVEN SHAWLS ARE BEAUTIFUL AND A TESTAMENT TO THE RICH CULTURAL HERITAGE OF KASHMIR. WE HONOR THIS TRADITION BY CREATING PIECES THAT ARE NOT ONLY WORKS OF ART IN THEMSELVES, BUT ALSO HELP SUSTAIN THE LIVELIHOODS OF THE ARTISANS WHO CREATE THEM.
and
WE TAKE GREAT CARE TO ENSURE QADRI PRODUCTS ARE ETHICALLY CREATED. OUR MANUFACTURING PARTNER IS SEDEX CERTIFIED WHICH VERIFIES THE SUSTAINABILITY OF OUR SUPPLY CHAIN AND ATTESTS TO THE MANUFACTURER’S COMMITMENT TO FAIR LABOR PRACTICES AND ENVIRONMENTAL SUSTAINABILITY. NO ANIMALS ARE HARMED IN THE PROCESS OF MAKING OUR SHAWLS.
artisans
AT THE QADRI WORKSHOP IN SRINAGAR WE WORK WITH OVER 200 WOMEN WHO HELP CREATE OUR PRODUCTS. WE ARE PROUD TO SUPPORT THEIR LIVELIHOODS AND PRESERVE THE TRADITIONAL ART OF KASHMIRI SHAWL-MAKING.
There are five steps in this process alone. QADRI shawls use exclusively handspun yarn, which creates aunique drape and comfort that cannot be achieved with machine-spun yarn.
In the next stage of production, colored threads are removed from the hanks. This process includes removing and fixing unwanted knots in the hanks. Then, three hanks get converted into one larger unit. Loose strings are tied around the threads to make sure they do not get disordered.
Warp preparation is done with 10 to 20 hanks at a time. The process ensures the yarn is optimized for its upcoming washing or dyeing
or
THE YARN IS THEN DYED OR WASHED. IF THE SHAWL WILL BE A NATURAL COLOR, YARN GETS WASHED IN STRAINED RENTA WATER, A NATURAL SOAP THAT ENHANCES STRENGTH, COLOR, AND PREVENTS FUTURE INSECT DAMAGE. IF THE SHAWL WILL BE COLORED, IT IS DIPPED IN AZO-FREE DYE BEFORE BEING WASHED. ONCE FINISHED, THE HANKS ARE LEFT TO DRY.
or
THE YARN IS THEN DYED OR WASHED. IF THE SHAWL WILL BE A NATURAL COLOR, YARN GETS WASHED IN STRAINED RENTA WATER, A NATURAL SOAP THAT ENHANCES STRENGTH, COLOR, AND PREVENTS FUTURE INSECT DAMAGE. IF THE SHAWL WILL BE COLORED, IT IS DIPPED IN AZO-FREE DYE BEFORE BEING WASHED. ONCE FINISHED, THE HANKS ARE LEFT TO DRY.
or
THE YARN IS THEN DYED OR WASHED. IF THE SHAWL WILL BE A NATURAL COLOR, YARN GETS WASHED IN STRAINED RENTA WATER, A NATURAL SOAP THAT ENHANCES STRENGTH, COLOR, AND PREVENTS FUTURE INSECT DAMAGE. IF THE SHAWL WILL BE COLORED, IT IS DIPPED IN AZO-FREE DYE BEFORE BEING WASHED. ONCE FINISHED, THE HANKS ARE LEFT TO DRY.
The next stage involves transforming the yarn from its washed hank form into smaller, round shapes known as millers, which typically weigh between 3 to 4 grams each. This reduction in size is done to facilitate the upcoming application of resin. The process starts with the yarn being transferred from the hank onto separate poles, then onto a spindle called a swift.
This stage, called maya, involves applying a resin to the yarn to boost its strength for warping. The yarn, soaked in the boiled resin-water mixture, is thoroughly drenched and squeezed to optimize resin absorption.
Weft yarns are wrapped onto a tool called a pritz and loaded directly onto bobbins. Once resin application is complete, the yarn is ready for the next stage of production.
THis prevents the yarn from sticking and breaking after drying. This meticulous process requires the greatest skill, as both swifts must be operated simultaneously and in opposite directions, showcasing the complexity of handling the threads, particularly when wet.
Now, the warping process begins, which involves up to three people depending on the pattern and color variation.
These artisans walk back and forth 15 meters, 1,400 times per shawl, in order to prepare the threads to be drafted, and ultimately placed on the loom. Rods are used to maintain thread sequence and to easily locate and repair any broken threads.
drafting follows warping to create the vertical aspect of the shawl. Threads are carefully positioned through saws to set the weaving pattern, managed by foot pedals. The density of the weave is controlled by a device called a reed, ensuring uniformity of the shawl.
If the shawl will be colored, it is dipped into a vat with AZO-free dye and soaked evenly across the shawl before being washed. Once finished the hanks are left to dry.
drafting follows warping to create the vertical aspect of the shawl. Threads are carefully positioned through saws to set the weaving pattern, managed by foot pedals. The density of the weave is controlled by a device called a reed, ensuring uniformity of the shawl.
If the shawl will be colored, it is dipped into a vat with AZO-free dye and soaked evenly across the shawl before being washed. Once finished the hanks are left to dry.
drafting follows warping to create the vertical aspect of the shawl. Threads are carefully positioned through saws to set the weaving pattern, managed by foot pedals. The density of the weave is controlled by a device called a reed, ensuring uniformity of the shawl.
If the shawl will be colored, it is dipped into a vat with AZO-free dye and soaked evenly across the shawl before being washed. Once finished the hanks are left to dry.
Preparation for the weft, the horizontal aspect of the shawl, involves winding washed and dried yarn onto bobbins. The weft yarns only require washing, unlike warp yarn, which requires resin.
The weaving stage combines the warp and weft yarns, determining the shawl's weight, texture, and pattern. These depend on the loom settings and the reed used.
Foot pedals separate threads to achieve the required texture or pattern. any deviation in sequence or tension can alter the shawl's final quality and appearance.
This stage involves washing the shawl to remove the strengthening resin applied earlier, restoring it to its original softness. This process uses warm water and gentle soaps, such as fena, to prevent damage or color bleeding. Washing occurs in stages, initially removing most resin to prepare the shawl for the clipping process and then eliminating any remaining impurities.
Clipping is a meticulous process to remove extra loops or knots from the woven shawl, enhancing its final appearance.
Utilizing specialized tools like citix and sticks, experienced workers ensure the loops are visible and accessible, then carefully cut them off.
This intricate process, if not performed with a high degree of craftsmanship can risk damaging the shawl, emphasizing the need for skilled workers.
This intricate process, if not performed with a high degree of craftsmanship can risk damaging the shawl, emphasizing the need for skilled workers.
The shawl is then sent back to the wash where its final appearance becomes clear.
The shawl is then sent back to the wash where its final appearance becomes clear.
The shawl is then sent back to the wash where its final appearance becomes clear.
Each shawl is embroidered with our signature Q, which is generally the same color as the shawl with a slight contrast. It shows, but doesn’t get in the way.
At last, the completed shawl is folded, packaged, and dispatched for delivery to you. This marks the end of a process combining traditional craftsmanship and meticulous attention to detail, ensuring you receive
a shawl of unparalleled quality and beauty.
It is presented in a custom luxury box, making sure whoever is lucky enough to receive one has a meaningful experience in learning about the process.
the essence
of cashmere