HMONG HEMP BOHO EMBROIDERED VINTAGE RECYCLED SHOULDER BAG ~ BATIK SQUARE

HMONG HEMP EMBROIDERED VINTAGE RECYCLED SHOULDER BAG ~ BATIK SQUARE

DETAILS

This cute shoulder bag is made from hand-woven 100% hemp in traditional village patterns.  Adorned with hand embroidery, needlepoint or batik on the front and back of the bag, it features a top zipper and inside zipper compartment and a shoulder strap for easy carrying.  This bag is lined in fabric and would make a unique addition to any wardrobe.

Due to the hand-made nature of our bags and purses, each one is a unique, one of a kind creation in color and design.  

Fairly traded fashion from Vietnam by traditional Hmong weavers who create many beautiful and stylish bags for us.  This hand-woven, fair trade, hemp bag/purse is produced by a Hmong women's co-operative in Northern Vietnam. 

• 701830-SHOULDER-BATIK SQUARE
• 100% Natural Hemp
• Recycled / sustainable material
• Hand-woven
• Hand-dyed using natural dyes
• Embroidered, Hand-batik or needlepoint pattern design - on the front and back of the bag
• Top zipper and inside zipper compartment
• Fully lined
• 14" x 14"  14" strap drop approximately
• Weavers ~ Hmong Women's Co-operative
• Dry clean
• Imported

MATERIAL HIGHLIGHTS

Hemp is grown by the indigenous Hmong hill tribe village co-operatives who undertakes the entire production process; they grow the hemp; cut and process the fiber which is softened by hand using traditional techniques; collect plants, bark and leaves to make sustainable dyes; weave the material using a back-strap loom; make the pattern using batik method; dye the fabric with natural dyes leaving their hands dark indigo blue up to their elbows; wash and rinse the finished fabric.  Very time consuming!

*For example, making hemp fiber for the Hmong loom is an extremely long process.  The hemp plant grows for about 2 ½ months before it is harvested.  The leaves are then stripped away and the stalks are dried for about 15 days before being peeled.  Next the peeled stalks are twisted together and pounded to make them softer.  Finally, the fibers are spun into skeins of thread, washed in ash water and wound into a ball.  The arduous process can take over 3 months before any weaving actually begins!

* Please note:  Slight imperfections of the weave are characteristic of natural hemp hand-woven fabric and add to the beauty and uniqueness of the material, and differentiate it from a machine made material.  This is normal, and should not be considered a defect.