The one-of-a-kind Soie Filee I pillow, meaning “spun silk”, was handwoven on a traditional Cambodian floor loom using handspun natural dyed silk. The center section is made up of colorful squares of reverse applique stitched on to handwoven hemp fabric in Vietnam.  Indian sari covered beads embellish this pillow.  This exceptional and very elegant pillow is an heirloom collectible and will grace any room where it is placed. It is a must to read The Story to learn more about why this is such an amazing pillow.

DETAILS:

• 18” x 18”

• Front - silk, hemp and cotton

• Back – linen, in amber

• Zipper closure

• Down duck feather pillow insert

• Fabric origins:  Cambodia, Vietnam

THE STORY:

The silk industry was introduced to Cambodia in the thirteenth century and has survived the country’s political and civil unrest.  Most recently, and for three decades, the Khmer Rouge regime not only destroyed mulberry plantations, but also the traditional process of sericulture and knowledge transferred from mother to daughter.  Presently, with the help of international foundations and non-profit organizations, silk production and trained skilled weavers are benefiting from the resurgence of sericulture.

Villageworks Cambodia, located in Phnom Penh, is a fair trade organization which believes in creating an environment where marginalized people discover their passion, dignity and self-sufficiency to unleash their full potential.  They support vulnerable and marginalized groups by creating economic opportunities. They train and provide skills to home-based workers in remote parts of rural Cambodia and disabled people in Phnom Penh, with the aim of promoting sustainable livelihoods.  I have had the pleasure of visiting Villageworks three times and have been so impressed to see their advances in silk production.  SERRV also gave Villageworks a grant to start a small mulberry plantation in rural Baray.

The handwoven silk used in this pillow was woven on a traditional two harness Cambodian loom.  The colors in the fabric are all natural dyes.  I believe a natural dye expert from Japan came to Villageworks and conduct a comprehensive workshop in making natural dyes.  The warp and weft are a variety of natural dye stripes which give the fabric a distinctive checkerboard look and the handspun characteristics of the silk create a beautiful texture to the fabric.

In center section of this pillow are colorful reverse applique square designs stitched on handwoven hemp fabric made by a Hmong women’s handicraft project in Ky Son, a mountainous district in central Vietnam bordering Laos.  Traditionally, the women will add applique to distinctive features of clothing such as collars or belts.  Mothers will take great care to embroider and applique flaps for baby caps.  A piece of cardamom is sewn into the cap to protect the baby’s health.  This region also grows hemp.

Th Ky Son project is part of United Nations Drug Control Program and Craft Link, a fair trade organization who supports ethnic minority groups and traditional craft producers to revive and promote traditional culture and skills through handicraft production. Craft Link is located in Hanoi. Six times I have visited Vietnam but not once did I have the opportunity to visit any of the Hill Tribes  in the central and northern part of Vietnam which is unfortunate because the textiles made by the Hill Tribes are notably some of my favorites.

Small Indian recycled sari buttons are added for embellishment.