Table of Contents
BEGINNINGS – SOWING AND REAPING
The hemp is sourced from Nepal’s rural, midwestern, rural areas such as Bajhang, Bajura, and Rolpa, where agriculture employs more than 80% of the population. And for centuries, Hemp has been used to its full potential in this region. Not only the cultivation, but also the craft of weaving, has been passed down through generations.
Following harvest, the plants are boiled to soften the inner fibers, which are then spun into yarn. This entire process can take up to 2-4 weeks and is managed by local families in these villages.
WEAVE
The yarn then makes its way to Kathmandu, Nepal’s capital city, where it is given new life by our local women. Traditional looms enter the scene for weaving after a rigorous process of washing and naturally drying. Because traditional looms are still in use, our fabrics will have an authentic, natural look because weaving is an intricate process that is still done so gracefully by our local women, the yarn is transformed into fabrics before we know it.
SEW
The fabrics are then transferred to the tailoring department, where each bag is given its final look. The final stitching and finishing of the bags is done by a small production house chosen for its ethical practices. As one might expect, it is a lengthy process, but it tells a beautiful story so that when you carry our bag, you understand its origins and journey.
We have developed close working relationships with everyone in our supply chain. We were only able to begin this venture after inspecting the employees’ working conditions, facilities, wages, and other regulations. We are proud of our working relationship with our supplier.
MATERIALS
HEMP: All of our bags are made entirely of hemp. We want our product to have the traditional look and feel of hemp—rugged, strong, and occasionally imperfect, just like us. And the material only improves with age!
COTTON: We currently use 100% cotton for the interior lining of our bags, but we intend to explore more natural alternatives to industrial cotton in the future.
PVC (polyvinyl chloride) RECYCLED: We are proud to use recycled rice bags as interlining in our bags. Because rice consumption in Nepal is quite high, a significant amount of rice bags frequently end up in the trash. As a result, we take pride in being able to reuse these bags to make a difference!
